certain characters

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "certain characters" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used when referring to specific individuals or symbols that are being identified or discussed in a particular context. Example: "In the story, certain characters play a crucial role in the development of the plot."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Wiki

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

58 human-written examples

Certain characters are reused.

The New Yorker

"There are faces that lend themselves well to certain characters.

The New York Times

"Certain characters come into their element in the open air".

The New York Times

He figured out that certain characters were logograms — pictures that stand for words.

The New York Times - Books

Strands seem as if they are about to come together; fates of certain characters become clearer.

The New York Times - Books

It isn't always easy to predict the audience response to certain characters or situations.

The New York Times

"You prefer me when I'm doing certain characters than other ones, don't you?" Rylance said.

The New Yorker

Certain characters in baseball have always intrigued me, and one is Willie Mays Aikens.

The New York Times

Weather allows Austen to set out the notion of chance and to bring certain characters together.

BBC

To get the hippie out of certain characters is probably the most difficult thing for me.

The New York Times

Certain characters speak to Thursday in footnotes that other characters can't hear.

The New York Times - Books

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "certain characters" when you want to refer to a subset of characters without explicitly naming them. This phrase works well when the specific identities of the characters are either already known or not crucial to the immediate context.

Common error

Avoid using "certain characters" without providing sufficient context. Ensure that your audience understands which characters you're referring to, either through prior explanation or by providing enough clues within the sentence.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "certain characters" functions as a noun phrase, where the adjective "certain" modifies the noun "characters". It identifies a specific, though not explicitly named, subset of individuals or entities within a larger group, as supported by Ludwig's examples.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

59%

Wiki

20%

Science

13%

Less common in

Huffington Post

5%

The Guardian

2%

Formal & Business

1%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "certain characters" is a grammatically correct and frequently used way to refer to a specific subset of individuals or entities without explicitly naming them. According to Ludwig, this phrase is found most commonly in News & Media, Wiki and Scientific contexts, indicating a neutral register. Alternative phrases such as "specific characters" or "particular characters" can be used for a more precise identification. When using the phrase, ensure there is sufficient context for the audience to understand which characters are being referenced.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

specific characters

Replaces "certain" with "specific", indicating a more precise identification.

particular characters

Uses "particular" instead of "certain", suggesting a focus on individual items.

select characters

Employs "select" to highlight the act of choosing or picking out characters.

some characters

Replaces "certain" with "some", indicating an unspecified subset.

designated characters

Uses "designated" to imply that the characters have been officially chosen or assigned.

specified characters

Replaces "certain" with "specified", indicating that the characters have been explicitly mentioned.

named characters

Uses "named" to highlight that the characters have been identified by name.

a few characters

Replaces "certain" with "a few", indicating a small number of characters.

some selected characters

Combines "some" and "selected" to indicate a chosen subset of characters.

a group of characters

Uses "a group of" to emphasize a collection of distinct characters.

FAQs

How can I use "certain characters" in a sentence?

You can use "certain characters" to refer to specific individuals or symbols within a larger group, without explicitly naming them. For example, "Certain characters in the play were applauded for their performances."

What's a good alternative to "certain characters"?

Alternatives include "specific characters", "particular characters", or "select characters", depending on the nuance you want to convey.

Is it appropriate to use "certain characters" in formal writing?

Yes, "certain characters" is appropriate for formal writing. It's a clear and professional way to refer to a specific group of individuals or symbols without being overly specific.

What is the difference between "certain characters" and "some characters"?

"Certain characters" implies a more definite or distinct group than "some characters". "Some characters" is more general, while "certain characters" suggests that there's a specific reason for singling out those particular individuals.