at a certain corner

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "at a certain corner" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to refer to a specific location or point where two streets or paths meet, often in a context of giving directions or describing a scene. Example: "The café is located at a certain corner of Main Street and Elm Avenue, making it easy to find."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Wiki

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

1 human-written examples

To illustrate this change, let's say there is an accident at a certain corner every week.

Huffington Post

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

59 human-written examples

It can be as local as a certain corner of a state.

Huffington Post

If they don't quite sound like the rest of us, that's because these two Harvard Ph.D.'s form a sort of power couple in the world of the dismal science, or at least a certain corner of it.

The New York Times

Orth that April became one of the most hated men on the Internet, or at least a certain corner of it.

Los Angeles Times

Today, polio still claims a certain corner of the globe.

The New Yorker

"Hemispheres" operates in a certain corner of the American mind.

The New York Times - Arts

Each night, at a certain Broadway corner, pilots were stationed to give members in good standing proper directions to the location of the session that particular night.

The New Yorker

"We've got your child," he says in rapid-fire Spanish, usually adding an expletive for effect and then rattling off a list of demands that might include cash or jewels dropped off at a certain street corner or a sizable deposit made to a local bank.

The New York Times

The d.j. and journalist Philip Sherburne sent in this take on the summer's dance scene: In the world of house and techno, or at least certain corners of it, the summer hits are already coming out.

The New Yorker

As few can afford to be online at home, certain corners -- where Wi-Fi is available -- glow with the screens of smartphones.

Huffington Post

The only way to get in was to be handed a pocket watch by a prior guest (who had been instructed to offer minimal explanation), report to a street corner at a certain time, and call a number pasted inside the watch.

The New York Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "at a certain corner" when you want to refer to a specific location without explicitly naming it, often to maintain a sense of mystery or generality. For example, you might say, "The exchange will take place at a certain corner downtown".

Common error

Avoid using "at a certain corner" when the specific location is relevant and known to your audience; providing precise details enhances clarity and credibility. Instead of saying, "Meet me at a certain corner", specify "Meet me at the corner of Elm Street and Main Avenue."

Linguistic Context

The phrase "at a certain corner" functions primarily as a prepositional phrase, modifying a verb or noun to indicate a location. Examples from Ludwig illustrate its use in specifying a meeting place or drop-off point without explicitly naming it, contributing to a sense of generality or mystery.

Expression frequency: Common

Frequent in

News & Media

35%

Science

33%

Wiki

17%

Less common in

Formal & Business

5%

Reference

5%

Social Media

5%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "at a certain corner" is a prepositional phrase used to indicate a location without explicitly naming it. As Ludwig AI confirms, it is grammatically correct and serves to add a degree of generality or mystery to directional information. It is commonly found in news and media, scientific writings and wiki articles and while generally neutral in tone, this construction offers versatility across various contexts. When writing, remember that precise details enhance clarity and credibility, so while it is helpful to use this expression, consider to use it only when the corner name is unkown or when you want to add a narrative effect. In those cases, you could consider a more specific alternative such as "at a specific corner".

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

at a particular corner

Replaces "certain" with "particular", emphasizing specificity.

at a specific corner

Substitutes "certain" with "specific", highlighting exactness.

at one corner

Uses "one" instead of "a certain", reducing the emphasis on specificity.

on a designated corner

Employs "designated" to imply pre-determined or assigned corner

on an agreed-upon corner

Suggests a previously agreed or arranged location.

at the mentioned corner

Indicates reference to a corner already specified or known.

at a selected corner

Uses "selected" to show it was a corner picked out of many.

at a given corner

Implies the corner is already established or known in context.

at a defined corner

Highlights the corner having clear boundaries or characteristics.

at a precise corner

Replaces "certain" with "precise" stressing accuracy

FAQs

How can I use "at a certain corner" in a sentence?

Use "at a certain corner" to refer to a specific location without giving its exact name, often for narrative effect or when the precise location isn't important. For example: "The package was to be dropped off "at a certain corner" downtown."

What's a more descriptive alternative to "at a certain corner"?

Depending on context, you can use phrases like "at a specific location", "at a predetermined spot", or simply name the corner for clarity.

When is it appropriate to use "at a certain corner" instead of naming the location?

It's appropriate when the exact location is unimportant, unknown, or when you want to create a sense of mystery or anonymity. For instance, in a fictional crime story, using "at a certain corner" adds suspense.

Is there a difference between "at a certain corner" and "at a specific corner"?

While similar, "at a specific corner" emphasizes that the location is definitely known and precise, whereas "at a certain corner" can imply a slightly more vague or less important level of specificity.