at certain stops

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "at certain stops" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used when referring to specific locations or points along a route, such as in transportation or travel contexts. Example: "The bus will pick up passengers at certain stops along the route to the city center."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

10 human-written examples

At least until the C comes back, the V is now the only option at certain stops in Brooklyn.

The New York Times

At certain stops the bus or subway car will suddenly be flooded with adolescents releasing their pent-up energies in a confined space.

The New York Times

A private company operating buses or vans on Second Avenue would have rights to pick up passengers only at certain stops.

The New York Times

The so-called bunching occurs when buses on the same route get caught in traffic and arrive at certain stops at the same time, creating long gaps in service and sometimes no room for passengers.

The New York Times

The so-called bunching occurs when buses on the same route get caught in traffic and arrive at certain stops at the same time, creating long gaps in service.

The New York Times

Mr. Lazio's tour, orchestrated down to the kind of attire he will wear at certain stops, will include campaign staples like parade appearances, including three planned for Independence Day.

The New York Times

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

50 human-written examples

These nanoparticles can be stopped at certain point or their movement may be accelerated by the use of small magnets provided that the nanoparticle is magnetic in nature as the non-transition metal ions are not attracted towards a magnet.

Nanoscale Research Letters

Stealing a letter to Jean-François with information about the high-paying job, Sebastien follows its cryptic instructions to pick up a first-class train ticket and get off at a certain stop.

The New York Times

The company's software is licensed by transportation authorities and once deployed in the cloud, Urban Engines can show them how many people entered a train at a certain stop, which trains are overcrowded, waiting times, lines and much more.

TechCrunch

For the next month, at certain bus stops, they will have a point.

The New York Times

At certain subway stops, the odor of rotting flesh returns, as though from a winter in Arizona, and all over town you can enjoy the blossoming of that chief attribute of New York: the smell of urine.

The New Yorker

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "at certain stops", ensure the context clearly indicates which stops are being referred to, especially in transportation schedules or procedural instructions. Providing additional information, such as names or numbers, enhances clarity.

Common error

Avoid using "at certain stops" without specifying which stops are included or why they are significant. If the specific stops are unknown or irrelevant, consider using a more general phrase or providing additional context.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "at certain stops" functions as a prepositional phrase that modifies a verb or noun. It specifies location and indicates that an action or event occurs only at some, but not all, of the possible stops along a route or within a process. Ludwig AI confirms its grammatical correctness and usability.

Expression frequency: Uncommon

Frequent in

News & Media

70%

Science

20%

Wiki

10%

Less common in

Formal & Business

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Academia

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "at certain stops" is a grammatically sound prepositional phrase used to indicate specific locations along a route where a particular action or event takes place. As Ludwig AI confirms, it's usable and correct. Its communicative purpose is to provide clarity about where something occurs, and its register is generally neutral, allowing for use in diverse contexts ranging from News & Media to Science. The most similar phrases are "at designated stops" and "at specific stops". Keep in mind that while the phrase is generally clear, it's important to provide sufficient context to avoid vagueness.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

at designated stops

Replaces "certain" with "designated", emphasizing that the stops are officially or formally chosen.

at specific stops

Uses "specific" instead of "certain", highlighting that the stops are clearly defined and not arbitrary.

at particular stops

Employs "particular" to suggest that these stops are noteworthy or distinct from others.

at select stops

Replaces "certain" with "select", indicating that the stops are chosen for a specific reason or purpose.

at defined stops

Uses "defined" to stress that the stops are clearly outlined or determined in advance.

at some stops

Uses "some" which offers a more general and less precise alternative.

at strategic stops

Highlights that the stops are chosen for their strategic importance or advantage.

at predetermined stops

Indicates that the stops were decided upon before the start of the route or process.

at fixed stops

Implies that the stops are permanent and not subject to change.

at scheduled stops

Emphasizes that the stops are part of a timetable or planned sequence.

FAQs

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

You can use "at certain stops" to indicate specific locations where a vehicle or person will pause along a route. For example, "The bus only stops at certain stops during the express route".

What's a more formal alternative to "at certain stops"?

In more formal contexts, you might use "at designated stops" or "at specific stops" to convey a similar meaning with greater precision.

How does "at certain stops" differ from "at all stops"?

"At certain stops" implies that only some locations along a route are included, while "at all stops" means every location is included. The difference lies in the selectivity of the stops.

Is it correct to say "on certain stops" instead of "at certain stops"?

The more idiomatic and grammatically standard preposition to use is "at". Saying "on certain stops" is less common and may sound awkward to native English speakers. Therefore, "at certain stops" is the preferred choice.