Used and loved by millions
Since I tried Ludwig back in 2017, I have been constantly using it in both editing and translation. Ever since, I suggest it to my translators at ProSciEditing.

Justyna Jupowicz-Kozak
CEO of Professional Science Editing for Scientists @ prosciediting.com
a certain flexible
Grammar usage guide and real-world examplesUSAGE SUMMARY
The phrase "a certain flexible" is not correct in English.
It seems to be an incorrect combination of words, as "flexible" should be used as an adjective and needs a noun to modify. Example: "We need a certain flexible approach to adapt to changing circumstances."
⚠ May contain grammatical issues
News & Media
Science
Alternative expressions(2)
Table of contents
Usage summary
Human-verified examples
Expert writing tips
Linguistic context
Ludwig's wrap-up
Alternative expressions
FAQs
Human-verified examples from authoritative sources
Exact Expressions
2 human-written examples
These units are for those wanting New York City access and a certain flexible lifestyle".
News & Media
As consequence of increasing market volatility in chemical industry, plants should be designed for a certain flexible capacity.
Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources
Similar Expressions
58 human-written examples
It may be more relevant from a public health perspective to evaluate potential outcomes associated with certain flexible dynamic regimens such as described in Murphy et al.[ 24].
Science
Under certain, flexible parameter conditions, the method is capable of preserving the positivity, the boundedness, and the spatial and the temporal monotonicity of the traveling-wave solutions.
But by the 60s, deaths from illegal abortions had fallen virtually to zero because of modern antibiotics and because termination was being practiced de facto in hospital conditions (the pre-1967 lallowedwed for a certain amount of flexible interpretation).
News & Media
On the web, however, data are not integrated physically but are linked using URLs, which provides a certain degree of flexible adjustment, as sources evolve.
Science
However, the decrement is not very high, as the PCL moiety assists the deformation to a certain extent by its flexible chain [25].
Science
The addition of a concentrated mass at a certain distance along the flexible element of the structure results in a modification of the dynamic characteristics of the structure so that the flexible modes are not excited by the bang bang control input.
Each potential flexible load has a certain individual capability that it can commit to the overall system.
Since flexible systems have a certain number of nearly zero frequency modes (called floppy modes), these modes provide channels in the energy landscape of the glass, and as a consequence, the entropy and fragility depend upon the number of constraints, even for the supercooled melt.
Now, with so much more experience (however grim) in our memory banks, perhaps we might develop more flexible strategies and a certain faith in taking a more patient, long-term approach to organizing for change.
News & Media
Expert writing Tips
Best practice
When aiming to describe something with a degree of adaptability, ensure the phrase is grammatically correct by pairing "certain" with a noun and modifying that noun with "flexible". For example, "a certain flexible approach" or "a certain flexible method".
Common error
Avoid using "flexible" directly after "certain" without an intervening noun. This construction is grammatically incorrect and can confuse readers. Instead, clarify what is flexible by adding a noun, such as "a certain flexible plan".
Source & Trust
86%
Authority and reliability
2.8/5
Expert rating
Real-world application tested
Linguistic Context
The phrase "a certain flexible" is grammatically incorrect as it stands because it lacks a noun to modify. "Flexible" is an adjective, and it needs to describe something. According to Ludwig AI, this is an incorrect combination of words. To function correctly, it needs to be followed by a noun, such as "approach" or "method".
Frequent in
News & Media
50%
Science
50%
Formal & Business
0%
Less common in
Academia
0%
Encyclopedias
0%
Wiki
0%
Ludwig's WRAP-UP
In summary, the phrase "a certain flexible" is generally considered grammatically incorrect without a noun to specify what is flexible. As Ludwig AI points out, "flexible" requires a noun to modify. While there are a few instances of its use in news and media and scientific contexts, it is best to add a noun to complete the phrase (e.g., "a certain flexible approach") or use alternatives like "a particularly flexible" or "some flexibility" to ensure clarity and grammatical correctness. Given its flawed grammar, it's crucial to exercise caution and prioritize grammatically sound alternatives, particularly in formal and academic contexts.
More alternative expressions(6)
Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:
a particularly flexible
Replaces "certain" with "particularly" to emphasize the degree of flexibility.
a notably flexible
Uses "notably" instead of "certain" to highlight the flexibility as a significant attribute.
a surprisingly flexible
Emphasizes unexpected flexibility by using "surprisingly".
a degree of flexibility
Replaces "certain" with "degree of" to specify a measure of flexibility.
some flexibility
Uses "some" to indicate an unspecified amount of flexibility.
a specific flexible item
Adds "item" to make the phrase grammatically correct.
a specific adaptable
Replaces "flexible" with adaptable.
a particular versatile
Replaces "flexible" with versatile.
a definite flexible
Replaces "certain" with definite.
an identified flexible
Replaces "certain" with identified.
FAQs
How can I correctly use "a certain flexible" in a sentence?
The phrase "a certain flexible" is grammatically incorrect. To use it correctly, add a noun between "certain" and "flexible", such as "a certain flexible approach" or "a certain flexible method".
What are some alternatives to "a certain flexible"?
Alternatives include "a particularly flexible", "a degree of flexibility", or using "a specific adaptable" strategy.
Is it correct to say "a certain flexible plan"?
Yes, "a certain flexible plan" is grammatically correct because "plan" is a noun that provides context for the adjective "flexible". It's more accurate than just saying "a certain flexible".
What's the difference between "a certain flexible approach" and "some flexibility"?
"A certain flexible approach" refers to a specific method that is adaptable, while "some flexibility" indicates a general quality of being adaptable without specifying a particular method. The term "some flexibility" is broader.
Editing plus AI, all in one place.
Stop switching between tools. Your AI writing partner for everything—polishing proposals, crafting emails, finding the right tone.
Table of contents
Usage summary
Human-verified examples
Expert writing tips
Linguistic context
Ludwig's wrap-up
Alternative expressions
FAQs
Source & Trust
86%
Authority and reliability
2.8/5
Expert rating
Real-world application tested