at a certain place

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "at a certain place" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used when referring to a specific location without naming it directly, often in a vague or general context. Example: "We will meet at a certain place to discuss the project details."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Academia

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

What if someone wants a specific answer to the question of where he keeps all the Bibles he says are sent to him, beyond "at a certain place"?

Huffington Post

It is observed that (1) superheat degree in both IJT and MT at a certain place in wellbores increases with the increase in injection temperature in annuli and AT.

Journal of Petroleum Exploration and Production Technology

There was a lot of tights and leather, waders that stopped at a certain place.

The New Yorker

"It was expected that I'd be at a certain place at a certain time.

The Guardian

You can place things at a certain place and repeat them to create a resonance.

The Guardian - Books

His body is hidden at a certain place... .. "Is it at Voenved?" Lyana says quickly.

The Guardian

He will meet her at a certain place, with five of his friends, and they will call it rape".

The New York Times

You began Season 5 with a framing device that showed Walt at a certain place and time in his life.

The New York Times

"I think as long as the comfort level stays at a certain place, people don't move," Ms. Lissard said.

The New York Times

"Sometimes when you're at a certain place at a certain time, something just gets to you," she said.

The New York Times

Unfortunately, these noisy vehicles often cannot be caught on the spot, unless traffic police is stationed at a certain place with their sound pressure level meter and camera.

Applied Acoustics

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "at a certain place" when you want to refer to a location without being too specific, especially when the exact location is either not important or not known. This can be useful in scenarios where privacy or generality is preferred.

Common error

Avoid using "at a certain place" excessively, as it can make your writing seem evasive or unclear. If the specific location is relevant, provide more detail or use a more precise term.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "at a certain place" functions as a prepositional phrase acting as an adverbial modifier. It typically modifies a verb, indicating where an action occurs without specifying the exact location. This is supported by Ludwig's examples, where the phrase is used to indicate meeting points, hiding spots, or general locations.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

48%

Science

27%

Academia

6%

Less common in

Encyclopedias

3%

Wiki

3%

Formal & Business

2%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "at a certain place" is a versatile phrase used to denote a location without being overly specific. Ludwig AI confirms its grammatical correctness and common usage across diverse contexts, including news, science, and academia. While useful for maintaining generality or privacy, writers should avoid overuse to prevent vagueness. Alternatives like "at a specific location" or "in a particular spot" may offer more precision when needed. Mastering its appropriate use ensures clear and effective communication.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

at a specific location

More precise than "at a certain place", implying a known but perhaps unspecified location.

in a given location

Slightly more formal and implies the location has been predetermined.

in a particular spot

Similar in meaning, but emphasizes a smaller, more defined area.

at a designated area

Suggests that the place has been officially assigned or marked.

at an undisclosed location

Implies the location is being kept secret.

in some location

Similar to "somewhere" but slightly more formal.

somewhere

Very general, lacking any specificity regarding the location.

in a secret place

Highlights the confidentiality or hidden nature of the location.

at a previously mentioned place

Refers back to a location that was discussed earlier.

at a known location

Indicates the place is familiar or publicly accessible, but not named directly.

FAQs

When is it appropriate to use "at a certain place"?

It's suitable when the exact location isn't crucial or when you want to maintain some ambiguity. For instance, instead of saying "Meet me at the coffee shop", you might say, "Meet me "at a certain place" downtown".

What are some alternatives to "at a certain place"?

Consider using phrases like "at a specific location", "in a particular spot", or simply somewhere, depending on the level of detail you want to provide.

Is "at a certain place" formal or informal?

It leans towards neutral. It's acceptable in many contexts, but more formal situations might benefit from a more precise term. Business or academic writing often favors specifying the location directly.

Can "at a certain place" be too vague?

Yes. If the location is important to the context, being too vague can confuse your audience. Ensure that the level of detail matches the needs of your communication. Consider specifying "at a designated area" or providing clearer directions when necessary.