a certain left

USAGE SUMMARY

"a certain left" is a grammatically correct phrase and can be used in written English.
It means a specific or particular left. It is often used to indicate a specific side or direction, or to describe something that is not fully defined or known. Example: "As she walked down the hallway, she noticed a certain left turn that she had never taken before."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Sports

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

1 human-written examples

Why does a certain left refuse to criticise such bigotry?

The Guardian - Opinion

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

58 human-written examples

"We came to a certain left-handed batter," Bako said.

The New York Times - Sports

The longer McGwire expounded on the subject -- insisting that Our Game ought to remain in Our Country -- the more it sounded like a less strident variation on a certain left-handed reliever's theme.

The New York Times - Sports

Not to get caught up in "fake symmetry", but this dynamic pretty well mirrors the one that takes place on the opposite side of the coin over whether it's fair to describe the president using a different term for a certain left-wing political philosophy.

The Economist

This has something to do with the combination of a certain left-hand barrier height with the deformation of the potential band profile.

Nanoscale Research Letters

I'd say he's far from alone in that among a certain French left.

The New York Times

We show that there is a one-to-one correspondence between compact quantum subgroups of a co-amenable locally compact quantum group G and certain left invariant C⁎-subalgebras of C0(G).

Journal of Functional Analysis

They tend to have a deep attachment to the writings of dead Russians, and remain well versed in the kind of bureaucratic manoeuvring that certain left activists tend to mistake for changing the world ("resolutionary socialism", as one of my Labour friends puts it).

The Guardian - Opinion

"An abomination," he wrote, in a tone not unlike a certain effusive left-hander, the winner of seven major championships and perhaps the most stubbornly opinionated athlete of his time.

The New York Times - Sports

Who foresaw in 2011 that Novak Djokovic was going to become a Grand Slam title hoarder with the endurance and big-match confidence of a certain Spanish left-hander from Majorca?

The New York Times - Sports

The curve and dip on Goodwin's strike was Fifa 15-esque, and even his technique in striking the ball had a certain balletic quality that comes with certain left-footers.

The Guardian - Sport

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "a certain left", ensure the context provides sufficient information for the reader to understand which specific left is being referred to. Ambiguity can be avoided by adding clarifying details or descriptions.

Common error

Avoid using "a certain left" when a more precise descriptor is available. Vague language can weaken your writing; opt for clarity whenever possible.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "a certain left" functions primarily as a determiner phrase modifying a noun, indicating a specific but perhaps unnamed or undefined instance of something associated with the left. As supported by Ludwig, this phrase is grammatically correct and used in written English.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

30%

Science

25%

Sports

20%

Less common in

Wiki

10%

Formal & Business

8%

Encyclopedias

7%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "a certain left" is a grammatically correct and frequently used expression across various domains, including news, science, and sports. According to Ludwig, its purpose is to indicate a specific direction, position, or group, but with a level of generality or vagueness. While versatile, it's essential to ensure clarity and avoid overgeneralization when employing this phrase, as supported by the examples found by Ludwig. Alternatives such as "a particular left" or "a specific left" can provide added precision. Its usage ranges from neutral to professional, contingent upon context, and it's a testament to the phrase's adaptability in written English.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

a particular left

Replaces "certain" with "particular", emphasizing a specific instance or direction.

a specific left

Substitutes "certain" with "specific", highlighting a clearly defined direction or group.

a given left

Uses "given" instead of "certain", implying a predetermined or assumed direction.

a designated left

Replaces "certain" with "designated", suggesting an officially assigned or chosen direction.

a defined left

Substitutes "certain" with "defined", indicating a clearly marked or outlined direction.

a select left

Uses "select" instead of "certain", implying a chosen or exclusive direction or group.

a precise left

Replaces "certain" with "precise", highlighting accuracy and exactness in direction.

a known left

Substitutes "certain" with "known", indicating familiarity or awareness of the direction.

a determined left

Uses "determined" instead of "certain", suggesting a resolute or decided direction.

a unique left

Replaces "certain" with "unique", highlighting the distinctiveness of a particular direction or group.

FAQs

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

You can use "a certain left" to refer to a specific, but perhaps not explicitly named, direction or political leaning. For example, "Members of "a certain left-wing group" advocate for policy changes."

What phrases are similar to "a certain left"?

Alternatives include "a particular left", "a specific left", or "a given left", each conveying a slightly different nuance of specificity or predetermination.

Is it better to say "a certain left" or "the certain left"?

The choice depends on the context. "A certain left" implies a specific but not necessarily unique instance. "The certain left" suggests a definite and well-known entity, such as "the left wing" of a political party.

What's the difference between "a certain left" and "a particular left"?

While similar, "a certain left" can imply a degree of vagueness or generality, whereas "a particular left" emphasizes a distinct, individual instance or example.