a certain lady

USAGE SUMMARY

"a certain lady" is perfectly acceptable and usable in written English.
It is generally used when referring to a specific woman without actually naming her, as in: "The mystery of the stolen necklace was solved by a certain lady who worked as a private detective."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

12 human-written examples

A certain lady.

The New Yorker

"It went near a certain lady.

The New York Times - Sports

However, much like a certain lady, the film is not regarded quite so well further north.

Independent

The English language; my woods in springtime; a certain lady; the getting of money.

The Guardian - Lifestyle

The New Yorker, February 28 , 1925P. 15 A certain lady.

The New Yorker

By Dorothy Parker The New Yorker, February 28 , 1925P. 15 A certain lady.

The New Yorker

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

47 human-written examples

Then, there's the abbreviation (Tena) that is perhaps inevitable based around a certain ladies' incontinence product.

The Guardian - Opinion

Unless of course, a certain little lady (or actually, any little lady) steps up to the plate.

Huffington Post

One in particular, published as the Warning Letter to Baroness Lehzen, declared that a "certain foreign lady pulled the wires of a diabolical conspiracy of which Lady Flora was to be the first victim," a reference to the Flora Hastings affair.

Wikipedia

Does this mean that a certain Stonehearted lady will also appear?

The Guardian - TV & Radio

Leonardo is still in possession of a portrait of "a certain Florentine lady," and two other paintings that appear equally impressive.

The New Yorker

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "a certain lady" when you want to refer to someone discreetly or without revealing their identity directly. This can add a touch of intrigue or politeness to your writing.

Common error

Avoid using "a certain lady" excessively, as it can make your writing sound evasive or unclear. Ensure the context provides enough information for the reader to understand who you're referring to, or consider providing more specific details.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "a certain lady" functions as a noun phrase, acting as a subject or object in a sentence. Ludwig AI confirms its usability, indicating that it's a standard way to refer to someone without explicitly naming them. For example, "It went near a certain lady."

Expression frequency: Common

Frequent in

News & Media

90%

Wiki

6%

Formal & Business

1%

Less common in

Science

1%

Academia

1%

Encyclopedias

1%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "a certain lady" is a common and grammatically correct way to refer to a specific woman without naming her directly. Ludwig AI confirms its proper usage. Primarily found in news and media, it serves to maintain privacy, create intrigue, or avoid unnecessary specificity. While versatile, it's important to use the phrase judiciously, ensuring context supports the intended meaning. Alternatives such as "a particular woman" or "the woman in question" may be more appropriate depending on the specific context and desired tone.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

a particular woman

Replaces 'certain' with 'particular', emphasizing specificity.

an unnamed woman

Directly states that the woman's name is not being provided.

a specific female

Substitutes 'lady' with 'female' for a more neutral term.

a lady in question

Uses 'lady' but emphasizes that she is under discussion.

a woman of interest

Suggests the woman is important or relevant to a situation.

a woman in question

Highlights that the woman is under discussion or consideration.

a mysterious woman

Adds an element of mystery or intrigue to the description.

a notable woman

Emphasizes the woman's significance or importance.

a known female figure

Replaces "lady" with "female figure" for a more formal tone.

a certain female individual

More formal alternative replacing "lady" with "female individual".

FAQs

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

Use "a certain lady" when you want to refer to a specific woman without explicitly naming her. For example, "The success of the project was largely due to the efforts of "a certain lady" in the marketing department."

What are some alternatives to "a certain lady"?

You can use alternatives like "a particular woman", "an unnamed woman", or "the woman in question" depending on the context.

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

While "a certain lady" is generally acceptable, it might be more suitable for informal or narrative contexts. In formal writing, consider using more specific or descriptive language unless the anonymity is intentional.

What does "a certain lady" imply about the person being described?

The phrase "a certain lady" implies that the speaker or writer knows the identity of the woman but chooses not to reveal it, often to maintain privacy, add intrigue, or avoid direct confrontation. Consider alternatives like "a specific female" if you want to reduce the possible implications.