a certain practice

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "a certain practice" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used when referring to a specific method or approach that is not explicitly named or defined. Example: "In the field of psychology, a certain practice has gained popularity for its effectiveness in treating anxiety disorders."

✓ Grammatically correct

Science

News & Media

Human Ecology

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

13 human-written examples

Rather, a causal approach is needed which explains why a certain practice is applied out of an array of practical options.

Human Ecology

"Next thing you know, they're going through my glove compartment, and then something's missing, and then what?" A co-worker, Riz Khann, 32, of Brooklyn, said that phasing out the parking meters would curtail a certain practice where he lived.

The New York Times

The beefed-up staff has allowed the committee to clear up a nearly two-year backlog of "advice letters" to members of Congress and their staffs seeking clarity on whether a certain practice might violate the rules.

The New York Times

Reflective practitioners function in a certain practice, the professional situation in which they work.

Journal of Innovation and Entrepreneurship

Moreover the reason he takes this to be is that he thinks that promising is a conventional act, one that invokes a certain practice to formalize the action.

SEP

His dystopian and pessimistic assessment of rationalization drove him to search for solutions through politics and science, which broadly converge on a certain practice of the self.

SEP

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

47 human-written examples

This is consistent with prior research that points to a significant relationship between certain practice characteristics (including number of practice days and number of patients per day) and prescribing behaviour [ 26].

BMC Family Practice

If a certain spiritual practice makes us better people — more loving, less angry — then it is necessarily good, and by extension "true".

The New York Times

For example, we might choose principles which suffice to represent a certain mathematical practice, like, for example, Bishop style mathematics.

SEP

Lillie: Sometimes technology, and systems implementations in particular, are used as a function to force business process redesign or a certain business practice to become global.

Forbes

A certain cultivation practice can also make the physico-chemical environment more favourable for pest activity, for example, through irrigation or the warm conditions found in glasshouses.

Integrated Pest Management Current Concepts and Ecological Perspective

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "a certain practice", ensure the context provides enough information for the reader to understand the general nature of the practice, even if the specifics are not named. This avoids ambiguity and maintains clarity.

Common error

Avoid using "a certain practice" repeatedly without ever specifying or clarifying what the practice is. This can make your writing vague and frustrating for the reader. If you mention it multiple times, find a way to make the reference more specific or replace some instances with synonyms.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "a certain practice" functions as a noun phrase, often serving as the subject or object of a sentence. It refers to a specific method or custom that is not explicitly identified. As Ludwig AI states, it's generally considered correct and usable.

Expression frequency: Common

Frequent in

Science

57%

News & Media

36%

Formal & Business

7%

Less common in

Wiki

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Human Ecology

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "a certain practice" is a common and grammatically correct way to refer to a specific method or custom without explicitly naming it. Ludwig AI confirms its usability. It is most frequently found in scientific and news media contexts. When using this phrase, ensure the surrounding text provides enough context for the reader to understand the general nature of the practice to avoid vagueness. For more formal settings, consider using more specific terms like "a specific method" or "a particular approach". Overall, "a certain practice" is a versatile phrase suitable for a wide array of writing scenarios.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

a specific method

Replaces "certain" with "specific", emphasizing the defined nature of the method.

a particular approach

Substitutes "practice" with "approach", focusing on the manner of doing something.

a defined procedure

Replaces "practice" with "procedure", highlighting the structured nature of the action.

a known technique

Focuses on the skill or art involved, using "technique" instead of "practice".

a common custom

Shifts the meaning towards tradition, replacing "practice" with "custom".

a prevailing habit

Highlights the habitual nature of the practice, using "habit" instead.

a typical routine

Emphasizes the regular and repeated nature, using "routine" instead of "practice".

a conventional way

Focuses on established or accepted manners, using "way" instead of "practice".

a standard operating procedure

Replaces the whole phrase with more verbose but semantically similar and commonly used idiom in professional contexts.

a recognized modus operandi

Replaces the whole phrase with a formal equivalent, more suited for formal and professional contexts.

FAQs

What does "a certain practice" mean?

The phrase "a certain practice" refers to a particular method, custom, or way of doing something, often without explicitly naming it. It implies that the practice is known or understood within a specific context.

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

You can use alternatives like "a specific method", "a particular approach", or "a defined procedure" depending on the context.

Is "a certain practice" formal or informal?

"A certain practice" is relatively neutral and can be used in both formal and informal contexts. However, for very formal writing, consider more precise or technical alternatives depending on the subject.

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

You can use "a certain practice" in a sentence like this: "The study examined the effects of "a certain practice" on student performance".