certain but not all

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "certain but not all" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to indicate that a specific subset of a larger group is being referred to, while acknowledging that not every member of that group is included. Example: "The new policy will apply to certain but not all employees, depending on their job roles."

✓ Grammatically correct

Science

News & Media

Encyclopedias

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

41 human-written examples

A very different behaviour pattern has been reported for glaciers in certain, but not all, areas.

Encyclopedia Britannica

Scouse 101: remembering that in certain – but not all – constructions, the letter "T" is unnecessary and should be abandoned.

The Guardian - Film

The polling feature, which takes the form of a two-option choice, has been rolled out to Twitter staffers and certain – but not all – verified accounts.

The Guardian - Tech

Sarbanes-Oxley, for example, requires the periodic rotation of the senior partner on audit teams and bans accountancy firms from providing certain (but not all) non-audit services to their audit clients.

The Economist

And on two counts the SEC dithered, giving itself 60 more days: rating agencies and whistle-blowing by corporate lawyers.The new rules include the following: Auditors are barred from certain (but not all) non-audit work.

The Economist

"There will be differences, I am certain, but not all that many," says Pappano. "We start from the same feeling about the piece," says Domingo. "And then we just see".

The Guardian - Music

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

19 human-written examples

In 1684, The French author Jacques Abbadie wrote the following in "Treatise on the Truth of Christian Religion"… "It may have deceived some men, or deceived them all in certain places and at certain times, but not all men, in all places and in all ages".

Huffington Post

Sure, some gay people might fit into certain stereotypes, but not all... and probably not even the majority.

Huffington Post

All these methods are just only suitable for a certain scope but not all.

EURASIP Journal on Image and Video Processing

This is true under certain circumstances, but not all.

Plosone

This severe disease is seen with certain serovars but not all individuals infected with a particular serovar will develop severe disease.

Annals of Clinical Microbiology and Antimicrobials

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "certain but not all", ensure the context clearly defines the criteria that distinguish the 'certain' subset from the 'not all' group to avoid ambiguity.

Common error

Avoid using "certain but not all" when the 'certain' group is actually a very small minority, as this can mislead the reader into thinking the effect or condition is more widespread than it is.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "certain but not all" functions as a qualifier, specifying that a statement applies to a subset of a group, rather than the entire group. Ludwig examples show it in various contexts, from scientific research to general statements, consistently adding this nuance. The Ludwig AI indicates that this is a correct usage.

Expression frequency: Uncommon

Frequent in

Science

53%

News & Media

33%

Encyclopedias

5%

Less common in

Wiki

3%

Formal & Business

3%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "certain but not all" is a useful tool for adding precision to your writing. As Ludwig AI confirms, it's grammatically sound and serves to qualify statements, ensuring you're not overgeneralizing. It is neutral in tone and versatile enough for various contexts. If you're looking for alternatives, consider phrases such as ""some but not all"" or ""only some"". Just be mindful of the subtle differences in meaning to ensure you choose the best fit for your context.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

some but not all

Replaces "certain" with "some", offering a more general and less specific quantifier.

a few but not all

Uses "a few" to indicate a small subset, emphasizing the limited quantity.

not all, but some

Inverts the structure, placing emphasis on the existence of a subset.

some, though not all

Uses "though" to create a contrast, highlighting the exception to a broader group.

only some

Emphasizes the restriction, clarifying that only a portion is affected.

select but not all

Replaces "certain" with "select", suggesting a deliberate choice or filtering process.

a portion but not all

Uses "a portion" to specify a defined part of the whole.

not every

Uses "not every" as a general indicator for something that isn't universally applicable

some exceptions apply

This emphasizes the existence of exceptions to a general rule.

applies selectively

Focuses on the selective application of a rule or condition, implying not all are affected.

FAQs

How can I use "certain but not all" in a sentence?

Use "certain but not all" to indicate that something applies to a specific subset of a group, but not to every member. For example, "The new rules apply to "certain but not all" employees."

What phrases are similar to "certain but not all"?

Alternatives include "some but not all", "a few but not all", or "only some". The best choice depends on the specific nuance you want to convey.

Is it better to say "certain but not all" or "some but not all"?

Both "certain but not all" and ""some but not all"" are grammatically correct. "Certain" implies a more specific or defined subset than "some", but they are often interchangeable.

When should I avoid using "certain but not all"?

Avoid using "certain but not all" if the 'certain' group is very small, as it can be misleading. In such cases, it might be better to specify the exact group or use a phrase like "only a few".