a certain meeting

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "a certain meeting" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used when referring to a specific meeting without naming it directly, often implying that the details are known to the audience. Example: "I cannot disclose the details of a certain meeting that took place last week."

✓ Grammatically correct

Wiki

News & Media

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

6 human-written examples

If there is any loose exploring, make sure you meet up with the group at a certain meeting place at the correct time!

WikiHow

There appears to be a quiet understanding, a certain meeting of minds between the director and actor of the upcoming film Where The Wild Things Are.

Independent

Part of Ms. O'Hara's job to was to make sure that the cookies set out for a certain meeting were not eaten.

The New York Times - Style

For example, one trace might take you from the front entrance of the office building to a certain meeting room on the 12th floor.

TechCrunch

Have a certain meeting place.

WikiHow

In keeping your meeting notes together you want to make it easy to go back through and see when certain decisions were made, who wasn't at a certain meeting and therefore needs the information, and so on.

WikiHow

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

54 human-written examples

This reminds me of a certain recent meeting between two CEOs.

TechCrunch

Since Carpooling relies on all parties to connect at certain meeting points, doing so gives a bit of transparency.

TechCrunch

Overall, the mean scores for the Symposium's ability to have positive impact on certain meeting objectives, especially the objectives related to the development of the field, were lower than the other sections of the survey.

Health Policy and Planning

The White House's approach, under Carney, of closing off media access to certain meetings offers a window into how that might look.

The New Yorker

Being a woman means being excluded from certain meetings,” says Bracy, who manages about $200 million in day-to-day financial operations and prepares and implements the Rams’ annual budget.

Forbes

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Maintain consistency in your level of detail. If you use "a certain meeting", ensure the surrounding text doesn't inadvertently reveal identifying information you intended to keep vague.

Common error

Avoid using "a certain meeting" when a more specific description would provide clarity and improve understanding. Vague language can sometimes confuse the reader or create an impression that you're being deliberately evasive.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "a certain meeting" functions as a noun phrase, typically acting as the object of a verb or the object of a preposition. As Ludwig AI pointed out, it refers to a specific meeting without explicitly naming it.

Expression frequency: Uncommon

Frequent in

News & Media

50%

Wiki

33%

Science

17%

Less common in

Formal & Business

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "a certain meeting" is a noun phrase used to refer to a specific meeting without naming it directly. As confirmed by Ludwig, it's grammatically correct and serves to imply that the context makes the specific meeting clear, or that the details aren't essential. The phrase sees usage across various contexts, but is most frequent in news and media. When using it, remember to maintain consistency and avoid overuse that might lead to ambiguity. Alternatives like ""a specific meeting"" or ""a particular meeting"" may be more appropriate when greater clarity is needed.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

a particular meeting

Emphasizes the specific instance of a meeting, maintaining a similar level of formality.

a specific meeting

Directly indicates a clearly defined meeting, similar in meaning but slightly more explicit.

a given meeting

Implies that the meeting is already known or predetermined.

a designated meeting

Highlights that the meeting has been officially assigned or appointed.

an arranged meeting

Focuses on the act of setting up or organizing the meeting.

a scheduled meeting

Emphasizes that the meeting is part of a planned timetable.

a confidential meeting

Highlights the secrecy or privacy surrounding the meeting.

a closed-door meeting

Emphasizes the exclusivity and restricted access of the meeting.

an undisclosed meeting

Suggests that the details of the meeting are intentionally kept secret.

a private meeting

Underlines the personal and non-public nature of the meeting.

FAQs

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

You can use "a certain meeting" when referring to a specific meeting without explicitly naming it, such as: "The decision was made during "a certain meeting" last week."

What phrases can I use instead of "a certain meeting"?

Alternatives include "a specific meeting", "a particular meeting", or "a given meeting", depending on the context and level of specificity you want to convey.

Is it better to use "a certain meeting" or "a specific meeting"?

Both phrases are correct, but ""a specific meeting"" is more direct, while "a certain meeting" implies the listener or reader has some prior knowledge of the meeting being referred to.

When is it appropriate to use vague language like "a certain meeting"?

It's appropriate when the details are already understood, when you want to avoid revealing sensitive information, or when the specific details aren't essential to the overall point you're making. However, avoid vagueness if it sacrifices clarity.