at a certain phase

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "at a certain phase" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to refer to a specific stage or point in a process or development. Example: "At a certain phase in the project, we realized we needed to change our approach to meet the deadline."

✓ Grammatically correct

Science

News & Media

Encyclopedias

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

7 human-written examples

In this work we address the problem by designing an optimization scheme for live migration, under which according to pre-copy speed, the VCPU working frequency may be reduced so that at a certain phase of the pre-copy the remaining dirty memory can reach a desired small amount.

Journal of Network and Computer Applications

At a certain phase in their lives, one chose to put family first and one chose to put work first.

Huffington Post

Because transient hetR induction and downregulation were often accompanied by cell division in most of them, hetR expression and differentiation are likely to be suppressed at a certain phase of the cell cycle.

Plosone

Outside the range of temperature compensation, the clock characteristically arrests at a certain phase [ 6, 7].

BioMed Research International

At a certain phase in vasculature morphogenesis, the three cell types co-localized as triplets and acted in concert.

F1000Research

In response to the translating visual stimulus, the pulsations are suppressed at a certain phase independent of the time of stimulus application.

Biology Open

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

53 human-written examples

The nuSTORM horn aims at focusing the pions into a certain phase space so that more muons from pion decay can be accepted by the decay ring.

Nuclear Instruments and Methods in Physics Research Section A: Accelerators, Spectrometers, Detectors and Associated Equipment

Thus, one drug may be used to stop the growth of cancer cells in a certain phase, while another agent may work at a different phase.

Encyclopedia Britannica

And when you're struggling with a certain phase, those are the parts you can look at to get through it.

BMC Family Practice

During a certain phase in my life film was a substitute for religion".

The Guardian - Film

The culture is grown until it reaches a certain phase.

BioMed Research International

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "at a certain phase", ensure the context clearly defines or implies the specific process or development you're referring to. Clarity is key.

Common error

Avoid using "at a certain phase" without providing enough context. If the phase is not clearly defined or understood by the reader, the phrase becomes vague and less informative.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "at a certain phase" functions as a prepositional phrase, typically modifying a verb or noun phrase. Ludwig examples show it's used to specify the timing or stage of an event or process. The examples illustrate its role in pinpointing when something occurs.

Expression frequency: Uncommon

Frequent in

Science

60%

News & Media

20%

Encyclopedias

20%

Less common in

Formal & Business

0%

Wiki

0%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "at a certain phase" is a grammatically correct prepositional phrase used to specify a particular stage or point in a process or development. Ludwig's analysis indicates the phrase is used in neutral to formal contexts, particularly within scientific and academic writing. Common synonyms include "at a particular stage" or "at a specific juncture". While generally acceptable, it's important to provide sufficient context to ensure the reader understands the specific phase being referenced. According to Ludwig, the phrase appears in a variety of reputable sources, but is not as common as simpler alternatives.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

at a particular stage

Replaces "phase" with "stage", offering a more general synonym with minimal semantic change.

at a specific juncture

Substitutes "certain phase" with "specific juncture", implying a more critical or decisive moment.

at a given point

Replaces "phase" with "point", indicating a specific moment in time or a stage in a process.

during a specific period

Replaces "at a certain phase" with "during a specific period", focusing on a duration of time.

in a particular moment

Emphasizes a precise instant within a process or event, rather than a broader phase.

at one stage

Shortens the phrase while maintaining the core meaning of a specific point in a process.

at some point

Simplifies the expression, indicating an unspecified time or stage.

in due course

Suggests a future time or stage when something is expected to happen.

in the fullness of time

Implies a longer duration until the specified event or stage occurs.

when the time is ripe

Uses a metaphorical expression indicating the most opportune moment for something to occur.

FAQs

What does "at a certain phase" mean?

The phrase "at a certain phase" refers to a specific stage or point in a process, development, or cycle. It indicates that something occurs or is relevant during that particular time.

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

You can use "at a certain phase" to specify when something happens within a larger sequence. For example, "At a certain phase of the project, we need to re-evaluate our budget."

What can I say instead of "at a certain phase"?

You can use alternatives like "at a particular stage", "at a specific juncture", or "at a given point depending on the context.

Is it better to use "at a certain phase" or "during a specific period"?

The choice depends on the context. "At a certain phase" emphasizes a point within a process, while "during a specific period" refers to a length of time. Choose the phrase that best reflects the duration you wish to convey.