a certain relationship

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "a certain relationship" is correct and can be used in written English.
You can use it when you want to refer to a relationship that is not identified or specified, or when you want to emphasize the fact that there is a relationship, but you are not referring to a specific one. For example: "There is a certain relationship between the two characters which we can't quite put our finger on."

✓ Grammatically correct

Science

News & Media

Encyclopedias

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

The design bears a certain relationship to both previous plans.

The New York Times

This was also strategic for maintaining a certain relationship of closer dimensions within the surroundings.

University of California, Berkeley

Part of this is about a certain relationship with the Christian right.

The Guardian - Opinion

Furthermore, numerical simulations reveal a certain relationship between the invasion speed and spatial patterns.

Biosystems

"He understood what I was trying to get at — a certain relationship of volumes, light and textures," Mr. Salle said.

The New York Times

One can find that the memristive connection weights have a certain relationship with the stability of the system.

Neurocomputing

We find that the memristive connection weights have a certain relationship with the stability of the system.

Neural Networks

After a detailed comparison, errors identified with these two models are discovered to have a certain relationship.

International Journal of Machine Tools and Manufacture

You develop a certain relationship with the person and those who informed, and you see it through the eyes of the Stasi writer".

The New York Times

"One song in particular, Lazy Projector, is about selective memory, deciding how we remember a certain relationship – who's putting that story together, who's omitting certain things.

The Guardian - Music

Language that is part of a certain relationship, milieu or workplace, by the time it reaches court, is stripped of its context and suddenly sounds stark and unpalatable.

The Guardian - Opinion

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "a certain relationship" when you want to indicate that a relationship exists without needing to specify its exact nature, or when the specific details are not yet known or relevant.

Common error

Avoid using "a certain relationship" repeatedly without clarifying the nature of the relationship later in your writing. Overuse can make your writing vague and uninformative.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "a certain relationship" functions as a noun phrase, typically serving as the object or subject complement in a sentence. It indicates the existence of a connection or link between two or more entities, without specifying the exact nature of that connection. Ludwig provides examples in various contexts.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

Science

56%

News & Media

33%

Encyclopedias

4%

Less common in

Formal & Business

1%

Reference

0%

Social Media

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "a certain relationship" is a versatile phrase used to indicate a connection exists without specifying details. Ludwig AI confirms its correctness and provides numerous examples across various contexts, including science, news, and encyclopedias. While grammatically sound, overuse without context should be avoided. Related phrases include "a specific connection" or "a defined correlation", offering ways to express similar ideas with varying levels of specificity. When writing, use this phrase to acknowledge a link without needing to fully define it, and avoid vagueness by clarifying the relationship later in the text.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

a specific connection

Replaces "relationship" with "connection" and adds "specific" for emphasis.

a particular association

Replaces "relationship" with "association", suggesting a less formal link and specifies that it's particular.

a defined correlation

Substitutes "relationship" with "correlation", implying a statistical link and specifies it's defined.

an established link

Emphasizes that the "relationship" is not just any relationship, but one that is already set up or known.

a verifiable association

Highlights that the relationship can be checked or proven.

a notable interdependence

Highlights a mutual dependence and makes it obvious.

a significant interplay

Emphasizes the interaction between elements, making it important.

a relevant correspondence

Focuses on the relevance and how things match up.

a discernible pattern

Suggests the "relationship" manifests as a visible trend or structure.

a demonstrable effect

Shifts focus to a cause-and-effect "relationship" that can be shown.

FAQs

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

Use "a certain relationship" to indicate a connection exists without specifying the details. For example, "Researchers observed a certain relationship between stress levels and productivity."

What phrases are similar to "a certain relationship"?

Alternatives include "a specific connection", "a defined correlation", or "a particular association" depending on the nuance you want to convey.

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

It's appropriate when acknowledging a relationship without needing to define it precisely, or when the exact nature of the relationship is unknown or still under investigation.

Is "a certain relationship" formal or informal language?

The phrase "a certain relationship" is suitable for both formal and informal contexts. Its usage depends more on the surrounding vocabulary and the overall tone of the writing.