a certain homework

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "a certain homework" is not correct in standard written English.
It is typically used to refer to a specific assignment or task, but "homework" is an uncountable noun and should not be preceded by "a certain." Example: "I have a certain homework assignment due tomorrow."

⚠ May contain grammatical issues

Wiki

News & Media

Science & Research

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

1 human-written examples

Sometimes if a certain homework assignment has been used for enough semesters, the solution may be floating around on the internet.

WikiHow

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

58 human-written examples

When it comes to completing certain homework assignments, 30-minute windows are hard to navigate and might not be enough time to actually complete the assignment, says Balgobin.

The Guardian - Money

"A certain amount of homework in the summertime is good, but I would like it more if it was a little bit less," said Garrett, a lanky redhead, as he labored at the computer.

The New York Times

Some of the grant-funding bodies even insist that your host should be a past fellow of theirs, so a certain amount of homework is necessary.

Science Magazine

If you have a long time to do a certain piece of homework, that means it's probably bigger than usual and important.

WikiHow

If you always have a certain amount of homework for a class every week, that would be great to add to your timetable.

WikiHow

It could be with homework, a certain chore, anything!

WikiHow

I had to be there at a certain time, I had my homework.

Huffington Post

Set a rule for yourself that you must do your homework before a certain time.

WikiHow

However, there is one thing that many books don't tell you: Although most homework in this department is very beneficial, there is a certain type of interview preparation that is a kiss of death.

Science Magazine

Gildea explains that if any sums are done wrong, a student will get a certain number of lashes and extra homework, or both.

The New Yorker

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When referring to a specific piece of homework, use "a specific homework assignment" or "a particular homework task" to ensure grammatical correctness.

Common error

Avoid using "a certain" directly before uncountable nouns like "homework". Instead, use quantifiers or specify the homework as an "assignment" or "task".

Linguistic Context

The phrase "a certain homework" functions as a determiner phrase followed by an adjective and a noun. However, due to grammatical rules regarding uncountable nouns, this construction is typically considered incorrect, as pointed out by Ludwig AI. It aims to specify a particular instance of homework.

Expression frequency: Rare

Frequent in

Wiki

38%

News & Media

38%

Science & Research

24%

Less common in

Formal & Business

0%

Academia

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, while the phrase "a certain homework" aims to specify a particular homework, it's generally considered grammatically incorrect due to the use of "a certain" with the uncountable noun "homework". Ludwig AI confirms this assessment. More appropriate alternatives include using "a specific homework assignment" or "some homework" depending on the intended meaning. Although the phrase appears across various sources, it's best to use grammatically correct alternatives to maintain clarity and accuracy in writing. Therefore, it's recommended to avoid this phrase in formal contexts and opt for clearer constructions.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

a specific homework assignment

Replaces the general adjective "certain" with the more precise "specific" and adds the countable noun "assignment" for grammatical accuracy.

a particular homework task

Substitutes "certain" with "particular" and uses the countable noun "task" to refer to a piece of homework.

some specific homework

Uses the quantifier "some" with the adjective "specific" to modify "homework" while maintaining a similar meaning.

a given homework assignment

Employs "given" to specify the homework, emphasizing that it has been assigned.

a designated homework task

Uses "designated" to specify a homework task, indicating it has been specifically chosen or assigned.

the homework in question

Refers to homework that is under discussion or consideration.

the mentioned homework

Indicates homework that has been previously mentioned.

certain types of homework

Refers to specific categories or kinds of homework.

homework of a particular kind

Emphasizes a specific type or nature of homework.

that one homework

Points out a specific, identifiable homework assignment.

FAQs

How can I correctly refer to a specific homework assignment?

Instead of "a certain homework", use phrases like "a specific homework assignment" or "a particular homework task".

Is it grammatically correct to say "a certain homework"?

No, it's generally not considered grammatically correct. "Homework" is an uncountable noun, so it doesn't combine well with "a certain". Use alternatives such as "some homework" or specify an assignment.

What's the difference between "a certain homework" and "some homework"?

"A certain homework" is grammatically awkward. "Some homework" is better for referring to an unspecified amount of homework, while specifying the assignment like "a specific homework assignment" clearly refers to a particular task.

When should I use "a certain homework assignment" versus "some homework"?

Use "a certain homework assignment" when you want to emphasize a particular, designated task. Use "some homework" when referring to an unspecified quantity of homework.