at certain events

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "at certain events" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to refer to specific occasions or gatherings where something occurs or is relevant. Example: "We often see a spike in attendance at certain events, such as conferences and trade shows."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Wiki

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

14 human-written examples

At certain events, when spectators are not too close at hand, a lookalike will stand in for the royal guest.

Independent

She will be a liaison for ABC and ESPN with domestic and international sports organizations plus do on-air work at certain events.

The New York Times - Sports

These days, Ms. Pignataro works with a staff of five who help her sort through news clippings, field calls and make sure Mr. Healy appears immaculately groomed at certain events.

The New York Times

"It means that where we would possibly look at certain events and say, 'yes there'll be a lot of people there, there'll be a lot of banner waving, but generally it will be peaceful', [now] we have to make sure these elements don't come out and hijack that event and turn that into disorder".

The Guardian

WASHINGTON — The Justice Department on Tuesday came under criticism for "extravagant and potentially wasteful" spending on conferences at the end of the Bush administration and early in the Obama administration, including paying $16 per muffin and $8 per eight-ounce cup of coffee at certain events.

The New York Times

Professor Neil Gregor from Southampton University says the footage of the flag in particular is easy to explain, simply because the Nazi banner was the national flag of Germany and protocol dictated that it be flown at certain events, such as at football matches or, as in the video, of the burial of German Leopold von Hoesch.

Independent

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

46 human-written examples

But coach Gary Street says the decision to do without many of his most talented players is part of a four-year strategy aimed at prioritising certain events over others.

BBC

In this second case study we show how Galean can help users in crisis management, by looking at the causes of certain events.

EPJ Data Science

On a case-by-case basis, Hot Potato will be pulling in tweets about certain events at SXSW, using a filter to make sure only relevant ones show up.

TechCrunch

Meetings usually began at dawn, although occasionally certain events (such as festivals) might delay the beginning of a meeting.

Wikipedia

September 11th, Princess Diana's death and the O.J. Simpson trial registered the impact of what happens when humanity is intensely focused on certain events at the same time.

Huffington Post

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "at certain events", ensure the context clearly identifies what types of events are being referenced to avoid ambiguity. For example, specify "at certain sporting events" or "at certain social events".

Common error

Avoid using "at certain events" when the specific events are crucial to understanding the context. Instead, provide specific examples or categories of events to enhance clarity.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "at certain events" functions as an adverbial phrase, modifying a verb or clause to indicate when or where something occurs. As Ludwig AI confirms, it is a valid and commonly used expression.

Expression frequency: Common

Frequent in

News & Media

40%

Wiki

20%

Science

20%

Less common in

Encyclopedias

7%

Formal & Business

7%

Reference

6%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "at certain events" is a grammatically sound and commonly used expression to indicate specific occasions or gatherings where something occurs or is relevant. As highlighted by Ludwig AI, the phrase is versatile and applicable across numerous contexts, including news, general reference, and scientific discussions. While it is generally considered appropriate for neutral registers, being more specific about the types of events can enhance clarity. When communicating "at certain events", ensure you provide enough context to avoid overgeneralization and to clarify the intended scope of the statement.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

during specific occasions

Emphasizes the timing and particularity of the events.

on particular instances

Focuses on individual occurrences and their uniqueness.

in certain circumstances

Highlights the conditions or situations under which events take place.

at designated functions

Refers to events that have been specifically chosen or assigned.

during select gatherings

Implies a curated or chosen set of events.

at specific happenings

Uses a more informal term for events.

in defined situations

Highlights well-defined scenarios where something occurs.

on occasion

A shorter and less specific way of saying something happens sometimes.

at times

A simple and broad alternative to indicate occasional occurrences.

when the time is right

Indicates something will occur under favorable circumstances.

FAQs

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

You can use "at certain events" to specify that something happens or is applicable only during particular occasions. For instance, "Security measures are heightened "at certain events", such as concerts and festivals."

What are some alternatives to "at certain events"?

Alternatives include "during specific occasions", "in particular instances", or "in certain circumstances", depending on the nuance you want to convey.

Is it better to be specific instead of saying "at certain events"?

Being specific enhances clarity. Instead of "at certain events", try "at sporting events" or "at charity galas" to give your reader a more precise understanding.

What's the difference between "at certain events" and "at such events"?

"At certain events" refers to unspecified, particular events. "At such events" usually refers back to events that have already been mentioned or implied in the context.