a certain number of

USAGE SUMMARY

"a certain number of" is correct and usable in written English.
You can use it when referring to an unspecified but limited quantity. For example: "A certain number of people showed up to the party."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

"A certain number of ships can only process a certain number of people," he said.

The Guardian

A certain number of them are going to get away.

The New York Times

"We condition them to pitch a certain number of innings.

The New York Times - Sports

"This bet is founded on a certain number of risks".

The New York Times

"It's getting a certain number of balls in the air".

The New York Times

"I want to play in a certain number of matches.

The Guardian - Sport

"He didn't wait a certain number of days.

The New York Times

"In France we have a certain number of principles.

The Guardian

A certain number of stories will be free to read.

The Guardian

"The cops have to write a certain number of parkers, and a certain number of movers," the official said.

The New York Times

According to some journalists, products can be featured in editorial spreads as part of an advertising deal: a certain number of mentions over a certain number of issues.

The Guardian

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "a certain number of" when you don't need to specify the exact amount but want to indicate it is not negligible or unlimited.

Common error

Avoid relying too heavily on phrases like "a certain number of" in formal writing. If possible, strive for greater precision by providing actual figures or estimates to enhance clarity.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "a certain number of" functions as a determiner phrase. It modifies a noun to indicate an unspecified but limited quantity. Ludwig's examples illustrate how it's used across different contexts to denote a specific but unstated amount.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

46%

Science

37%

Huffington Post

13%

Less common in

Wiki

2%

TechCrunch

1%

Forbes

1%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "a certain number of" is a versatile phrase used to indicate an unspecified but definite quantity across various contexts. It is grammatically correct and very common, as confirmed by Ludwig. While suitable for both formal and informal writing, greater precision may be preferable in certain situations. The phrase appears frequently in news articles and scientific publications.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

a specific quantity of

Emphasizes that the quantity, while not explicitly stated, is well-defined.

a fixed number of

Highlights that the count is immutable or predetermined.

a given amount of

Highlights that the amount has been pre-determined or agreed upon.

a limited quantity of

Stresses that the quantity is not unlimited or abundant.

an indefinite quantity of

Focuses on the lack of precise knowledge about the amount.

a portion of

Suggests that the quantity is a part of a larger whole.

a selection of

Implies that the quantity has been chosen from a larger group.

a handful of

Implies a small and manageable quantity.

several

Indicates more than a few, but not a large number.

some

A general term indicating an unspecified quantity.

FAQs

How can I use "a certain number of" in a sentence?

Use "a certain number of" to refer to an unspecified but limited quantity. For instance, "A certain number of students failed the exam" indicates that some, but not all, students failed.

What's a more formal way to say "a certain number of"?

In more formal contexts, consider using phrases like "a specific quantity of" or "a definite amount of" to convey a similar meaning with increased precision.

Is it ever better to use "some" instead of "a certain number of"?

Yes, "some" is suitable when the exact quantity is irrelevant or unknown. "Some people prefer tea" is less specific than saying "a certain number of people prefer tea", which implies a known, though unstated, quantity.

What's the difference between "a number of" and "a certain number of"?

"A number of" simply means several or many, whereas "a certain number of" implies that the quantity is known or predetermined, even if it's not explicitly stated. For example, "A number of guests arrived late" vs. "A certain number of tickets were allocated beforehand".