a certain era

USAGE SUMMARY

"a certain era" is a correct and usable phrase in written English.
You can use this phrase to refer to a period of time in history, and can often be used to contrast one period of time with another. For example, "In the Victorian era people valued hard work, unlike in a certain era today in which instant gratification is desired."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Books

Lifestyle

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

JR That's on every compilation of a certain era.

The Guardian - Books

It was a product of a certain era.

The New York Times

Yet for gymnasts of a certain era and place, Latynina retains a pre-eminent loftiness.

The New York Times - Sports

"Now the images are a testament to a certain era," he says.

The New Yorker

For audience members of a certain era, there are also quicksilver allusions to "Happy Days".

The New York Times

While it "harks back to a certain era", Ms Sinclair maintained it did reflect real life.

The Guardian

Yet they rarely capture either the tone or the time of being a certain age in a certain era.

The New York Times

The four of them, taken together, form a vivid tapestry of life of a certain kind, a certain era.

The Guardian - Books

My past is really so trite, it could be the past of the whole creative class of a certain era.

The New Yorker

"What interests me is how to transform a work dated in a certain era so it communicates something fresh today.

The New York Times - Arts

On the other hand, that rule-breaking mindset is so closely associated with a certain era that it's not easy to wear flares without actually looking groovy.

The Guardian - Lifestyle

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "a certain era" when you want to refer to a period without being overly specific, implying a shared understanding or common knowledge about that time.

Common error

Avoid using "a certain era" when more precise historical references are possible or necessary for clarity. Instead, specify the historical period or event relevant to your discussion.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "a certain era" functions as a noun phrase, acting as a subject complement or object in a sentence. It typically identifies a period that is known or understood without needing to be explicitly defined. According to Ludwig AI, this is a correct and usable English phrase.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

44%

Books

13%

Lifestyle

6%

Less common in

Sport

3%

Arts

3%

Music

3%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "a certain era" is a commonly used phrase to refer to a specific period without being overly precise. According to Ludwig AI, the phrase is correct and usable in written English. It is most frequently found in news and media contexts, as well as in books and lifestyle publications. While grammatically sound and widely accepted, it's crucial to consider whether greater specificity is required for clarity. Related phrases include "a specific period" and "a particular time", offering variations in tone and precision. When using "a certain era", ensure that the context provides enough information for readers to grasp the intended time frame.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

a specific period

Replaces "certain" with "specific" for greater precision.

a particular time

Uses a more general term, "time", instead of "era".

a defined epoch

Employs more formal vocabulary.

a distinct age

Substitutes "era" with "age", implying a significant historical period.

a bygone time

Highlights the past nature of the period.

a previous generation

Focuses on the people who lived during the era.

a historical period

More direct and less nuanced.

an age of...

Uses "age of" to specify the defining characteristic of the era.

the time of...

Focuses on events happening during the period.

those days

Informal way to speak about a period.

FAQs

How can I use "a certain era" in a sentence?

You can use "a certain era" to refer to a specific period in history. For example, "The fashion trends of "a certain era" are often revisited in modern designs".

What's the difference between "a certain era" and "a specific period"?

"A certain era" implies a shared cultural understanding or a commonly known time, while "a specific period" suggests a more precise and defined timeframe.

What are some alternatives to using "a certain era"?

Depending on the context, you can use phrases like "a specific period", "a particular time", or "a distinct age".

Is it appropriate to use "a certain era" in formal writing?

Yes, "a certain era" is appropriate for formal writing, but ensure it provides enough context for the reader to understand the period being referenced. More specific terms might be preferable in academic or scientific contexts.