a given thing

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "a given thing" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to refer to a specific item or concept that is understood or assumed in the context of the discussion. Example: "In this experiment, we will analyze the effects of temperature on a given thing, such as the rate of chemical reactions."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

14 human-written examples

Which is not a given thing.

The Guardian - Sport

Audiences at the play are often bemused by the plunging melancholy of Antonio; onscreen, however, a mood is a given thing, and we are content to be lapped within it — all the more so when Antonio is played by Jeremy Irons, whose voice could be transplanted to the cello section of a major orchestra without ado.

The New Yorker

He is the ringleader of what might be called the Expert Performance Movement, a loose coalition of scholars trying to answer an important and seemingly primordial question: When someone is very good at a given thing, what is it that actually makes him good?

The New York Times - Magazine

The idea is to take many pictures of a given thing or area and combine them into a 3D image.

TechCrunch

Thus, goodness and being in a given thing coincide in reality, and a thing's goodness adds nothing over and above the thing's being.

SEP

For, in general, there can be different though, importantly, non-competing accounts of "he cause' of a givenon-competing accountsofenon.

SEP

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

46 human-written examples

The purpose is to implement services to provide indexing and querying methods applied to things, i.e., heterogeneous (sensing, actuation, computing, storage, and energy sources) resources aggregated according to a given thing-like semantics and provided to final users, developers, SaaS providers, etc., as a service, thus named TaaS.

EURASIP Journal on Wireless Communications and Networking

And this explains why all things cannot be produced from all things: any given thing possesses a distinct creative capacity.

The Guardian

It's a sign you've given things a go, pushed boundaries, and bounced back.

WikiHow

We have a tendency to give things a positive spin.

Los Angeles Times

"Even in a given individual, things can change," Dr. Rabbani said.

The New York Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "a given thing", ensure the context clearly defines what the 'thing' refers to, avoiding ambiguity for the reader.

Common error

Avoid using "a given thing" when a more specific noun would provide greater clarity. For example, instead of "analyze a given thing", specify "analyze a given chemical compound" or "analyze a given market trend".

Linguistic Context

The phrase "a given thing" primarily functions as a determiner phrase followed by a noun, specifying a particular item, object, or concept that is already under consideration. As Ludwig AI indicates, it is used to refer to something specific within a context.

Expression frequency: Common

Frequent in

News & Media

40%

Science

40%

Wiki

13%

Less common in

Formal & Business

3%

Encyclopedias

3%

Reference

1%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "a given thing" is a phrase used to refer to a specific item, object, or concept that is already under consideration or understood within a particular context. Ludwig AI confirms its grammatical correctness and usability. It's commonly found in News & Media and Science sources, indicating a neutral register. While versatile, clarity is key: make sure the 'thing' is well-defined to avoid ambiguity. Alternatives include "a specific item" or "a particular object", depending on the intended meaning. When using "a given thing", always aim for specificity and clarity to enhance communication.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

a specified item

Replaces 'thing' with 'item' to denote something concrete and particular.

a particular object

Substitutes 'thing' with 'object' to emphasize a tangible entity under consideration.

a certain matter

Uses 'matter' instead of 'thing' to refer to a topic or issue being discussed.

a specific entity

Replaces 'thing' with 'entity' to highlight a distinct and independent existence.

a defined element

Uses 'element' instead of 'thing' to suggest a component within a larger system.

a designated item

Replaces 'given' with 'designated' emphasizing the act of specifying something.

a selected object

Substitutes 'given' with 'selected' to focus on the choice made in identifying something.

a presented subject

Replaces 'thing' with 'subject', often used when discussing topics or areas of study.

a pre-determined aspect

Focuses on the aspect of something that has been already set or decided.

a fixed concept

Implies that the concept is already established or unchangeable.

FAQs

How can I use "a given thing" in a sentence?

Use "a given thing" when you want to refer to a specific item, object, or concept that is already under consideration or has been predetermined in some way. For example, "The experiment focuses on the properties of "a given material" under different conditions."

What are some alternatives to using "a given thing"?

Depending on the context, you can use alternatives such as "a specific item", "a particular object", or "a certain matter" to convey a similar meaning.

Is there a difference between "a given thing" and "a specific thing"?

While both phrases are similar, "a given thing" often implies that the item is already known or assumed within the context, whereas "a specific thing" simply emphasizes the particularity of the item.

When is it best to use "a given thing" in my writing?

It's best to use "a given thing" when you want to refer back to something previously mentioned or something that is understood within the context of your writing. This helps avoid repetition and provides a smoother flow to your explanation.