a certain incident

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "a certain incident" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used when referring to a specific event or occurrence without naming it directly, often to create intrigue or maintain confidentiality. Example: "During the meeting, she mentioned a certain incident that had occurred last year, but she didn't provide any details."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Wiki

Academia

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

16 human-written examples

"I'm linked to him for a certain incident in the dim and distant past.

Independent

When I have a certain incident, I'll call my father the next day.

The New York Times

I say "timely" because I am in the process of reading both, and I find a curious difference in the way they report a certain incident.

The New York Times - Books

"At this point and time in the year," Farrell said, "everyone is looking for ways to gain momentum, to keep momentum going in their favor, whether that's through a certain incident or adding a player.

The New York Times - Sports

Should a certain incident come to your attention, please let me remind you that the public-safety officers at my university have not benefitted from the rigorous training that your institution provides.

The New Yorker

For every experiment with a certain incident angle value, the percentages of increase for both, the Nusselt number and the non-dimensional pressure drop, over those of the horizontal tube case, are checked to get the most economical case, which is observed when the Reynolds number is 902 RR with incident angle of 20°.

International Journal of Thermal Sciences

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

44 human-written examples

Further, a novel idea of "strange mirror" in which a light impinging on it at certain incident angle is bounced at a very different reflection angle is presented.

Journal of Physics and Chemistry of Solids

The events and subsequent Senate committee inquiries were widely reported, and the transcripts of the inquiry formed the basis of a play, A Certain Maritime Incident.

Wikipedia

One of the most high-profile Senate committee inquiries was the Senate Select Committee on a Certain Maritime Incident, which in 2002 investigated what became known as the Children Overboard Affair.

Wikipedia

"King" Kong about the pep pills, lipsticks and prophylactics in the crew's survival kit -- "Shoot, a fella could have a pretty good weekend in Vegas with all that stuff" -- originally mentioned Dallas, but was changed to avoid echoes of a certain violent incident that occurred in that city on Nov. 22, 1963.

Los Angeles Times

Energy law of similitude for laser propulsion refers to the law that there is an optimum nozzle configuration for the largest value of impulse coupling coefficient at certain incident laser energy.

Chinese Journal of Aeronautics

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "a certain incident" when you want to refer to an event without explicitly naming it, often to maintain discretion or create suspense.

Common error

Avoid using "a certain incident" excessively in formal reports or academic papers. Direct and specific language is typically preferred in these contexts.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "a certain incident" functions as a noun phrase acting as a subject or object in a sentence. It refers to a specific, though unnamed, event. Ludwig confirms its grammatical correctness and common usage.

Expression frequency: Common

Frequent in

News & Media

37%

Science

31%

Wiki

19%

Less common in

Academia

9%

Encyclopedias

3%

Formal & Business

1%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "a certain incident" is a versatile way to allude to a specific event without explicitly naming it. As confirmed by Ludwig, it is grammatically correct and sees common use across different contexts, particularly in news, scientific articles, and general discussions. While its neutral register makes it suitable for various scenarios, it's advisable to use more direct language in formal academic writing. The phrase implies a level of confidentiality or a desire to avoid unnecessary details. Alternatives like "a particular event" or "a specific occurrence" may suit more formal settings.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

a particular event

Replaces 'certain' with 'particular' offering a slightly more formal tone.

a specific occurrence

Substitutes both 'certain' and 'incident' with synonyms, emphasizing the definiteness of the event.

an unspecified event

Directly indicates that the event is not being named.

a given situation

Shifts the focus to the circumstances surrounding an event, rather than the event itself.

a noteworthy episode

Implies that the incident is remarkable or deserving of attention.

a delicate situation

Highlights the potential for problems or negative consequences.

a relevant circumstance

Highlights the importance of the event to the current discussion.

a sensitive issue

Indicates the event is delicate or potentially controversial.

a confidential matter

Suggests the incident is secret or private.

a private affair

Implies the event is personal and not for public knowledge.

FAQs

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

You can use "a certain incident" to refer to a specific event without naming it, such as, "The investigation was launched following "a certain incident" at the factory."

What's a more formal alternative to "a certain incident"?

For a more formal tone, consider using phrases like "a particular event" or "a specific occurrence".

When is it appropriate to use "a certain incident"?

It's appropriate when the details of the incident are either already known to the audience, confidential, or not directly relevant to the main point.

What does "a certain incident" imply?

It implies that the speaker or writer is aware of a specific event but chooses not to disclose its exact nature, often suggesting sensitivity or confidentiality.