a certain survey

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "a certain survey" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used when referring to a specific survey that is known to the speaker and listener, but not explicitly named. Example: "According to a certain survey, most people prefer online shopping over traditional retail."

✓ Grammatically correct

Science

News & Media

Wiki

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

4 human-written examples

For a certain survey of such formulas, see ([Richter 2012]).

Journal of Statistical Distributions and Applications

The fluctuation level of the current Wi-Fi environment at a certain survey position can be estimated by analyzing the Wi-Fi RSS fingerprint.

Human-centric Computing and Information Sciences

We then assign to each individual in a certain survey year the TFP growth that occurred in his industry of specialization since the year he entered the job market.

IZA Journal of Labor Policy

In some websites when you try to delete a certain survey,an another pop-up bar will appear and show "Survey Bypass Detected".

WikiHow

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

56 human-written examples

Mr. Krosnick's article gave the impression, on the other hand, of an attempt to dismiss certain survey trend results because they did not fit his overall thesis.

The New York Times

The true burden of mental-health disorders might be underestimated by most studies because they use a certain common survey approach to assess the percentage of people with these conditions, researchers say.

Huffington Post

However, it should be noted that some questions are only asked in certain countries during certain survey waves, so the number of questions eligible for a global study is much less than 2,000.

IZA Journal of Migration

For example, survey responses can be linked to any information in Salesforce CRM and certain survey responses will trigger specific follow-up actions with customers.

TechCrunch

For certain survey periods, participants were asked if, in the past month, they had taken a medication for which they needed a prescription.

Environmental Health Perspectives

However, owing to some missing answers to certain survey questions, the denominator used in percentage computation varies according to the responses obtained for the survey question.

BMC Women's Health

Owing to some missing answers to certain survey questions, the denominator used in percentage computation varies according to the responses obtained for each survey question.

BMC Women's Health

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "a certain survey", ensure the context makes it clear which survey you're referring to, even if you don't explicitly name it. This avoids ambiguity and maintains clarity for your audience.

Common error

Avoid using "a certain survey" repeatedly in a text without providing sufficient context. This can make your writing vague and uninformative. If you mention multiple surveys, distinguish them clearly.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "a certain survey" functions as a determiner phrase modifying the noun "survey". It specifies that the survey is known but not explicitly identified. As Ludwig AI suggests, the phrase is usable and correct.

Expression frequency: Uncommon

Frequent in

Science

40%

News & Media

40%

Wiki

20%

Less common in

Formal & Business

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "a certain survey" is a useful way to reference a specific survey without explicitly naming it. As Ludwig AI confirms, it's grammatically correct and understandable. While it's most common in science, news, and wiki contexts, it's essential to provide enough context to ensure clarity. Consider using more specific alternatives like "a specific survey" in formal settings or when greater precision is needed. Avoiding overuse and ensuring clear reference are key to effective communication using this phrase.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

a specific survey

Replaces "certain" with "specific", indicating a particular survey is being referenced.

a particular survey

Substitutes "certain" with "particular", emphasizing a distinct survey.

one survey in particular

Rephrases to highlight a specific survey among others.

a given survey

Replaces "certain" with "given", implying a known or predetermined survey.

a designated survey

Uses "designated" to indicate a survey that has been officially chosen or assigned.

a defined survey

Changes "certain" to "defined", suggesting a survey with clear parameters.

a select survey

Employs "select" to indicate a carefully chosen or representative survey.

a relevant survey

Emphasizes the survey's pertinence to the topic at hand.

a noteworthy survey

Highlights the survey's significance or importance.

a mentioned survey

Refers to a survey previously brought up in conversation or writing.

FAQs

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

Use "a certain survey" when referring to a survey known to both the speaker and the audience but without explicitly naming it. For example, "According to "a certain survey", most people prefer working from home".

What phrases are similar to "a certain survey"?

Alternatives include "a specific survey", "a particular survey", or "one survey in particular", all indicating reference to a specific, though unnamed, survey.

When is it appropriate to use "a certain survey" instead of naming the survey?

It's suitable to use "a certain survey" when the specific name of the survey isn't important or relevant to the discussion, or when the audience is already familiar with the survey being referenced.

Is "a certain survey" formal or informal language?

The phrase ""a certain survey"" is generally considered neutral and can be used in both formal and informal contexts, as long as the context makes the reference clear.