a certain study

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "a certain study" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used when referring to a specific study without naming it directly, often to imply that the study is known or relevant to the context. Example: "In a certain study, researchers found a significant correlation between sleep and productivity."

✓ Grammatically correct

Science

News & Media

Academia

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

20 human-written examples

More specifically, how important are "significance levels" and "confidence intervals" in determining the reliability of a certain study?

Harvard University

The exact value of "up" can be set by trial simulations for a certain study area.

Environmental Systems Research

23andMe and other genetics startups do this to some extent by asking participants to voluntarily take a quiz or opt-in to a certain study.

TechCrunch

Interested participants in a certain study, for example, complete an initial questionnaire to find out if they qualify for the study.

Forbes

However, the models are helpful as an analytical tool in order to describe differences and commonalities and to point out particularities of collaboration within a certain study.

International Journal of Child Care and Education Policy

They advise them to not choose a certain study just because a friend did, and to neither be pressured by what parents or other adults desire for them, but to focus on what they themselves want.

Comparative Migration Studies

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

40 human-written examples

Google instead settled on "Transparency Report". "There's a certain studied neutrality in the language," says Braithwaite.

Forbes

"The Administration," Schwarzenegger declared with a certain studied blandness as he declined to provide counsel to defend Prop 8, "encourages the Court to resolve the merits of this action expeditiously".

Huffington Post

If you're procrastinating while revising a certain subject, study something else for a bit or take a break completely.

Independent

It might be a certain subject they studied in school (trigonometry), or the way an appliance manual is written (all of them).

The New York Times

The parents who want their child to study a certain subject because they struggled or excelled".

Huffington Post

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "a certain study" when you want to refer to a study without revealing its specific details, either because the details are not important or because you don't want to cite it directly. It's especially useful when the study is well known within a specific field.

Common error

Avoid using "a certain study" as a filler when you actually have a specific study in mind. If you know the details, providing a proper citation adds credibility to your writing.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "a certain study" functions as a determiner phrase modifying the noun "study". It introduces a particular research endeavor, often without specifying which one. As Ludwig suggests, it is grammatically sound.

Expression frequency: Rare

Frequent in

Science

40%

News & Media

40%

Academia

20%

Less common in

Formal & Business

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Wiki

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "a certain study" is grammatically correct and functions as a determiner phrase. According to Ludwig, it's used to refer to a specific research study without explicitly naming it, and it appears most frequently in scientific and news contexts. While grammatically sound, it's advisable to provide a direct citation when possible to enhance credibility. The phrase is suitable for neutral contexts, and related alternatives include "a specific study" and "a particular study".

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

a particular study

Replaces "certain" with "particular", emphasizing specificity but maintaining a similar level of generality.

a specific study

Substitutes "certain" with "specific", which provides a clearer indication of the study's defined nature.

one study in particular

Adds emphasis by specifying "one" study and using "in particular" to highlight its relevance.

a given study

Uses "given" instead of "certain", suggesting the study is already known or under consideration.

a designated study

Replaces "certain" with "designated", implying the study was chosen or assigned for a specific purpose.

one such study

Indicates the study is an example from a larger group, rather than simply being unspecified.

a relevant study

Focuses on the pertinence of the study to a particular context or discussion.

an unspecified study

Highlights the lack of explicit detail about the study, emphasizing its anonymous nature.

a hypothetical study

Positions the study as theoretical or imagined, rather than based on actual research.

a theoretical study

Indicates the study is based on theoretical frameworks rather than empirical data.

FAQs

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

You can use "a certain study" when referring to a study without providing its exact name or details. For example, "A certain study showed a correlation between diet and exercise."

What phrases are similar to "a certain study"?

Similar phrases include "a specific study", "a particular study", or "one study in particular".

Is it better to say "a certain study" or name the study directly?

Naming the study directly with a citation is generally preferable for academic and formal writing as it adds credibility. Use "a certain study" when the specific details are not crucial or you want to avoid direct citation.

When is it appropriate to use the phrase "a certain study"?

It's appropriate when the exact details of the study aren't necessary for the context, or when you're referring to a widely known study without needing to cite it formally.