a certain range

USAGE SUMMARY

"a certain range is" a perfectly correct and usable phrase in written English.
It can be used when you are referring to a range of things, such as time, measurements, or numbers, which you don't want to specify or you don't know the exact parameters of. For example, "The exact length of the hike is unknown, but it is within a certain range".

✓ Grammatically correct

Science

News & Media

Academia

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

He played within a certain range.

The New Yorker

Convergence is, however, limited to a certain range of resolutions.

Journal of Computational Physics

Each type is most receptive to a certain range of wavelengths of light.

The New York Times

Planes are meant to fly within a certain range, effectively a safe zone for flight.

The New York Times

The simplest is the BinnerAxisLinear which assumes bins for equal width with a certain range.

Stanford University

Within a certain range of object distances this sharpness loss is still comparatively unnoticeable.

Encyclopedia Britannica

Merit exponents (and indices) are only valid in a certain range of property values.

Materials & Design

The wavelength tunability of the QDIPs is realized within a certain range.

Handbook of Self Assembled Semiconductor Nanostructures for Novel Devices in Photonics and Electronics

This flap cannot be harvested in a certain range of patients.

Annales de Chirurgie Plastique Esthétique

The films are polycrystalline with a certain range of each process parameter.

World Renewable Energy Congress VI Renewables: The Energy for the 21st Century World Renewable Energy Congress VI 1–7 July 2000 Brighton, UK

When the specific parameter varies in a certain range, its Lyapunov exponent spectrum is invariable.

Optik - International Journal for Light and Electron Optics

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "a certain range", ensure the context provides enough information for the reader to understand the general scope, even if the exact limits are not specified. For example, instead of saying "The device operates within a certain range", specify what the range refers to: "The device operates within a certain temperature range".

Common error

Avoid using "a certain range" without any contextual clues, as it can make your writing vague and uninformative. Always provide some reference point or unit of measurement to give the reader a better understanding of the scope you're describing. Saying "The price falls within a certain range" is less useful than "The price falls within a range of $50 to $100".

Linguistic Context

The phrase "a certain range" functions as a determiner phrase specifying an unspecified but limited scope or interval. Ludwig AI confirms its grammatical correctness and widespread usage across various domains.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

Science

56%

News & Media

23%

Academia

5%

Less common in

Encyclopedias

2%

Wiki

2%

Formal & Business

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "a certain range" is a grammatically sound and frequently used expression that signifies a limited but unspecified scope. As Ludwig AI confirms, it is applicable across diverse fields such as science, news, and academia. While versatile, it's important to provide contextual clues to avoid excessive vagueness. Related phrases like "a particular range" or "a specific scope" can offer enhanced clarity in specific instances. Using "a certain range" is most effective when precision is unnecessary or unavailable, providing a general sense of limitation without divulging exact parameters.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

a particular range

Emphasizes the specificity or distinctiveness of the range being referred to.

a specific scope

Focuses on the defined boundaries or limits of the area under consideration.

a limited extent

Highlights the restricted or finite nature of the range.

a definite scope

Indicates that the range is clearly defined and not open to interpretation.

a precise scope

Indicates an accurate and clearly defined range.

a defined limit

Emphasizes the presence of established boundaries or constraints.

a finite extent

Stresses the bounded and non-infinite nature of the range.

a designated spectrum

Suggests a range that has been officially or formally specified.

a restricted limit

Highlights the constraints placed upon the range.

a set boundary

Focuses on the established and unchangeable nature of the range's limits.

FAQs

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

"A certain range" indicates an indefinite scope. For instance, "The data is valid within a certain range of temperatures" indicates data validity is limited to some, unspecified, temperatures.

What's a good alternative to "a certain range" if I want to be more specific?

Alternatives include "a particular range", "a specific scope", or specifying the exact limits (e.g., "between 10 and 20 units").

Is it better to always specify the range instead of saying "a certain range"?

While specificity is often preferred, "a certain range" is useful when the exact limits are unknown, irrelevant, or proprietary. It provides a general idea without requiring precise data.

What does "a certain range" imply about the speaker's knowledge?

Using "a certain range" may imply the speaker knows a range exists, but is either unwilling or unable to define it precisely. This can be due to uncertainty, confidentiality, or simplification.