a certain message

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "a certain message" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used when referring to a specific message that is not explicitly identified or when the speaker wants to imply that the message is known or understood in context. Example: "The email contained a certain message that changed the course of our project."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Formal & Business

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

43 human-written examples

Mr. Marchionne's outfits also seemed to carry a certain message, said Mr. Carlutti, the former Fiat executive.

The New York Times

You'd be surprised at how often you're happy to get a certain message when you're out and about.

The New York Times - Tech

(There's nothing worse than the "two-mailbox" problem, where you can't figure out which machine contains a certain message).

The New York Times - Tech

He said: "Every restaurant has a golden table where they sit the best looking customers.A restaurant's clientele give off a certain message about the place.

Independent

I am always attracted to the moments when a person who is associated with a certain message, image or sensibility evolves.

The New York Times

That gives a certain message, which is what the Cleveland Clinic is doing matters more than you, and you better have team spirit.

Harvard Business Review

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

17 human-written examples

"Scientists are giving us a very certain message.

Independent

He added: "Scientists are giving us a very certain message.

The Guardian

A possible starting point could be the following: the discoverer mote would send a certain broadcast message that should be answered by all accessible motes with an unicast message, and their initial field measures could be included.

EURASIP Journal on Wireless Communications and Networking

Like responding with the history of all conversations when triggered to so do with a certain secret message.

TechCrunch

During the elaboration of a generic layer, a certain v2c message is needed twice, and a local buffer or multiple memory reading operations were implemented in Arch.

EURASIP Journal on Embedded Systems

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "a certain message", ensure the context provides enough information for the reader to understand the message's general nature, even if the specifics are not revealed. This prevents ambiguity.

Common error

Avoid using "a certain message" without providing any contextual clues. If the reader has no idea what message you are referring to, the phrase becomes vague and unhelpful. Provide sufficient background information to ensure clarity.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "a certain message" functions as a determiner + adjective + noun. It modifies the noun 'message', indicating a specific, though unspecified, communication. As noted by Ludwig AI, it refers to a specific message without explicitly identifying it.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

41%

Science

39%

Wiki

6%

Less common in

Formal & Business

4%

Encyclopedias

2%

Academia

2%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "a certain message" is a common and grammatically sound phrase used to refer to a specific communication without explicitly detailing its content. Ludwig AI confirms its correctness and broad applicability. As shown by Ludwig's examples, its usage spans news, science, and business contexts. While versatile, it's important to provide sufficient context to avoid ambiguity. Alternatives like "a specific message" or "a particular message" can offer greater clarity if needed. When employing this phrase, ensure your audience understands the general nature of the message being alluded to.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

a specific communication

Replaces 'message' with 'communication' and 'certain' with 'specific' to emphasize clarity.

a particular communication

Replaces 'message' with 'communication' and 'certain' with 'particular', slightly shifting the focus to a distinct instance.

a distinct communication

Replaces 'message' with 'communication' and 'certain' with 'distinct', highlighting the uniqueness of the communication.

a defined communication

Replaces 'message' with 'communication' and 'certain' with 'defined', emphasizing clarity and precision.

a precise message

Replaces 'certain' with 'precise', indicating exactness and accuracy in the message.

a definite message

Replaces 'certain' with 'definite', conveying assurance and certainty in the message.

a given message

Replaces 'certain' with 'given', implying the message is predetermined or assumed.

a known message

Replaces 'certain' with 'known', suggesting that the message is already understood or expected.

a hidden message

Implies the message is not immediately obvious or requires interpretation.

an underlying message

Indicates a deeper, less obvious meaning beneath the surface.

FAQs

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

Use "a certain message" when you want to refer to a particular message without explicitly stating what it is. For example, "His actions conveyed "a certain message" of disapproval".

What can I say instead of "a certain message"?

You can use alternatives like "a specific message", "a particular message", or "a distinct message depending on the context.

Is it more formal to say "a certain message" or "a specific message"?

"A specific message" tends to be more direct and clear, while "a certain message" can imply that the message is known within a particular context or to the speaker. Both are acceptable in formal writing.

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

It is appropriate to use "a certain message" when the details of the message are not necessary for the reader to know, or when revealing the message would be inappropriate or detrimental to the communication.