certain cases apply

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "certain cases apply" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used when indicating that specific situations or conditions are relevant or applicable to a particular context or rule. Example: "In our policy, certain cases apply where exceptions can be made for late submissions."

✓ Grammatically correct

Science

News & Media

Wiki

Encyclopedias

Formal & Business

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

1 human-written examples

As the payor company would have suffered tax on the payments it made, the company that received the dividend also received a credit that it could use to reduce the amount of ACT it itself paid, or, in certain cases, apply to have the tax credit repaid to them.

Wikipedia

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

57 human-written examples

In certain cases, applying for new guardianship can be even more complicated.

WikiHow

When simulating interstellar ices, both cases apply and the KMC simulation may become stuck in a certain subset of states, wasting many iterations without interesting dynamics.

Chemical Reviews

With the help from the power of language, having a broader set of instances for when certain case reasoning apply can be an important approach to court and dispute management.

The Journal of Chinese Sociology

In certain cases, police can apply for that time limit to be extended.

Independent

It will in certain cases, however, also apply to the negotiation and conclusion of regional agreements between more than one Member State and/or more than one third country.

EU Parlament

Early livery included the temporary retention of the Southern number, and remained black, although in certain cases "British Railways" was applied to the tender in place of "Southern", in Sunshine Yellow.

Wikipedia

Although applied exclusively in the past to immovables, they may now apply in certain cases to movables.

Encyclopedia Britannica

Some commands do not affect synchronisation at all and it may even be desirable, in certain cases, to be able to apply arbitrary operating parameters to different cameras without interrupting the video capture.

European Transport Research Review

If the superquadratic term in the energy functional is convex, our results also apply in certain cases if 0 is in a gap of the spectrum of the Schrödinger operator.

Journal of Functional Analysis

Here, we shall present a modification of Theorem 2 which can be applied to certain cases and instances where Radu's theorem does not work.

Fixed Point Theory and Applications

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "certain cases apply" when you need to indicate that a rule, condition, or exception is not universal but depends on specific circumstances. This adds precision to your writing.

Common error

Avoid using "certain cases apply" when you can be more specific about the cases themselves. If possible, provide examples or detailed criteria to clarify which cases are being referred to.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "certain cases apply" functions as a qualifier, indicating that a general statement is subject to exceptions or specific conditions. This is supported by Ludwig, which confirms its correct usage. This suggests that the subsequent information will specify what the cases are.

Expression frequency: Common

Frequent in

Science

29%

News & Media

21%

Wiki

21%

Less common in

Encyclopedias

10%

Formal & Business

10%

Social Media

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "certain cases apply" is a grammatically sound and commonly used phrase that serves to qualify general statements by indicating the presence of exceptions or specific conditions. As Ludwig AI confirms, it's frequently found in diverse contexts, including science, news media, and encyclopedias, suggesting a broad applicability. When using this phrase, ensure clarity by specifying the "certain cases" whenever possible to avoid ambiguity. Consider alternatives like "specific conditions are relevant" or "particular situations are applicable" for nuanced expression. The key is to use the phrase strategically to guide the audience toward a more precise understanding.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

Specific conditions are relevant

Focuses on the relevance of particular conditions, rather than cases.

Particular situations are applicable

Emphasizes the applicability to distinct situations.

Some instances are pertinent

Highlights the pertinence of certain instances.

Certain circumstances are valid

Indicates the validity of specific circumstances.

When specific conditions hold

Focuses on the holding or fulfillment of specific conditions.

Under certain conditions

Highlights that under a set of conditions that are valid.

In specific situations

Highlights that some situations are adequate.

For some scenarios, this is true

Highlights that for scenarios some specific conditions are true.

Where specific rules are in effect

Highlights that certain rules have special meaning and affect.

When specific criteria are met

Highlights that conditions are met.

FAQs

How can I use "certain cases apply" in a sentence?

You can use "certain cases apply" to indicate that a particular rule, condition, or exception is relevant only in specific situations. For example, "While the standard fee is $50, certain cases apply where a discount may be available."

What are some alternatives to "certain cases apply"?

Alternatives include "specific conditions are relevant", "particular situations are applicable", or "some instances are pertinent", depending on the context.

Is it better to specify the cases rather than saying "certain cases apply"?

Specifying the cases is generally better for clarity. However, "certain cases apply" is useful when a comprehensive list isn't feasible or when the details are provided elsewhere. Use it as a signpost directing the reader to where those specific cases are defined.

What's the difference between "certain cases apply" and "certain conditions apply"?

The phrases are very similar. "Certain cases apply" often refers to specific scenarios or situations, while "certain conditions apply" typically refers to specific requirements or criteria that must be met.