at a certain position

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "at a certain position" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to refer to a specific location or point in a context, such as in discussions about physical placement or abstract concepts. Example: "The statue was placed at a certain position in the park to enhance the overall aesthetic."

✓ Grammatically correct

Science

News & Media

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

This reflects the simple fact that relative positive changes in image irradiance at a certain position (e.g., due to illumination) should result in a positive change in the pixel intensity at the same position.

EURASIP Journal on Advances in Signal Processing

Therefore, one can compute a positional weight of a letter at a certain position by changing the consensus sequence at that position and measuring the change in d.

Bioinformatics

With hard fault at a certain position the attack complexity reduces to 255.85.

Journal of Information Security and Applications

"Something appears to be at a certain position, when in reality it is somewhere else".

The New York Times - Science

The probe is fixed at a certain position above a specimen during entire inspection of one slit.

Measurement

When 10 spheres aggregated together, they stopped at a certain position just after the phase transition in horizontal pipe.

Chemical Engineering Science

The time-averaged downward velocities have a maximum at a certain position between the spout wall and conical wall.

Chemical Engineering Science

When the movable platform is at a certain position, the input beam can be split into three beams by the gratings.

Sensors and Actuators A: Physical

For example, a contestant might decide that there is a screwdriver at a certain position with a width of 50 pixels and a height of 30 pixels.

MIT Technology Review

Our studies show us over time that at a certain speed, it's virtually impossible to play at a certain position in the National Football League and play well".

The New York Times - Sports

Another educational app teaches children fractions by instructing them to bounce a ball at a certain position — two-thirds of the way from the left side, for example.

The New York Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "at a certain position", ensure the context provides enough information for the reader to understand the approximate location being referred to. If greater precision is needed, use more specific terms or coordinates.

Common error

Avoid using "at a certain position" without providing sufficient context. If the location is unclear, the phrase becomes meaningless. Always aim to clarify the location either before or after using this phrase.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "at a certain position" functions primarily as an adverbial phrase, modifying a verb or clause to indicate location. Ludwig examples illustrate its use in specifying where something occurs or exists.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

Science

60%

News & Media

20%

Formal & Business

10%

Less common in

Wiki

5%

Encyclopedias

3%

Reference

2%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "at a certain position" is a versatile adverbial phrase used to indicate a location without requiring precise specification. As Ludwig AI indicates, it's grammatically correct and commonly used across various fields, particularly in science and news. When using this phrase, ensure sufficient context is provided to avoid ambiguity. Alternatives such as "in a specific location" or "at a particular spot" may be suitable depending on the desired level of precision.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

in a precise location

This alternative replaces "certain position" to suggest more accuracy.

in a specific location

This alternative replaces "certain position" with a more general term, focusing on location without implying precision.

at a particular spot

Replaces "position" with "spot", suggesting a more informal and less precise location.

in a defined place

Emphasizes that the location has been previously identified or specified.

at a designated point

Suggests the location was officially or formally chosen.

at a given coordinate

Implies a high degree of accuracy, using coordinate to suggest a mapping system.

in a determined area

Indicates that the location has been found and delimited.

at a fixed locale

Locale replaces position, adding more formal register.

at a strategic point

This option highlights that the location is important for a goal.

in a selected zone

This option highlights that the location has been chosen.

FAQs

What does "at a certain position" mean?

The phrase "at a certain position" indicates a specific, but not necessarily precisely defined, location or point in space, time, or a sequence.

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

You can use "at a certain position" to refer to a location without needing to specify the exact coordinates. For example, "The sensor detects movement at a certain position along the assembly line."

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

You can use alternatives like "in a specific location", "at a particular spot", or "in a defined place" depending on the context.

Is "at a certain position" formal or informal?

The phrase "at a certain position" is relatively neutral and can be used in both formal and informal contexts, although more precise language might be preferred in highly technical or scientific writing.