certain children

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "certain children" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used when referring to a specific, but not explicitly defined, group of children in a context where their characteristics or behaviors are being discussed. Example: "Certain children may respond better to visual learning methods than others."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Academia

Science

Formal & Business

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

It's how we, unfortunately, label certain children.

The New York Times

There are certain children where I felt it would be beneficial for them to take it.

The New York Times

To be sure, certain children are at greater risk than others for anxiety.

The New York Times

I remember when the "Goosebumps" books first became popular, that's all certain children were reading.

The New York Times - Books

"Certain children have an advantage because they studied the questions before," she said.

The New York Times

(Her theory sounds as if it would be popular with certain children.

The New Yorker

She is well known as the discoverer of certain children with Grammatical-Specific Language Impairment (G-SLI).

Harvard University

That attitude, he said, reflected "the soft bigotry of low expectations" and the belief that "certain children can't learn".

The New York Times

What is most worrying though is that too often certain children are not discussed by teachers at all.

The Guardian

He also recently published an op-ed in the Guardian about a paper on the mental health benefits of delaying kindergarten a year for certain children.

Stanford University

Dr. Patrick added that he thought, based on past research, that a drug like Ritalin LA could be better for certain children than other long-lasting drugs.

The New York Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "certain children" when you want to indicate a specific, but not necessarily explicitly defined, group of children who share a common characteristic or circumstance. This is particularly useful in discussions about educational strategies, health outcomes, or social issues.

Common error

Avoid using "certain children" without providing sufficient context about which children you are referring to. Vague usage can lead to confusion. Instead, specify the criteria or characteristics that define the group you are discussing.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "certain children" functions as a determiner + noun, specifying a subset of children with particular, though not explicitly defined, characteristics. Ludwig AI confirms its usability in written English. It identifies a specific group within a larger set.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

55%

Academia

23%

Science

13%

Less common in

Formal & Business

8%

Reference

0%

Wiki

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "certain children" is a grammatically sound and frequently used expression to denote a specific, albeit undefined, group of children sharing common traits or circumstances. According to Ludwig AI, the expression is correct and usable in written English. Its primary function is to distinguish a subset from a larger population, often in contexts related to education, health, or social issues. While it maintains a neutral register suitable for various audiences, overuse without clear context should be avoided for clarity. Alternatives like "specific children" or "particular children" can offer subtle variations in emphasis. Analysis of authoritative sources confirms its common usage across diverse fields.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

specific children

Replaces "certain" with "specific", emphasizing a defined group.

particular children

Substitutes "certain" with "particular", highlighting individuality within a group.

some children

Uses "some" to indicate a subset, being a more general alternative.

a few children

Quantifies the subset as a small number, adding a numerical aspect.

selected children

Emphasizes a process of choosing, highlighting the selectivity.

designated children

Suggests a formal assignment, focusing on a specific role or purpose.

identified children

Highlights the act of recognizing or pointing out specific children.

children in question

Focuses on children under discussion, narrowing the scope to a specific context.

those children

Refers to children previously mentioned or understood in context.

a segment of children

Indicates a portion of the whole group, adding a statistical perspective.

FAQs

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

Use "certain children" to refer to a specific group of children who share a common trait or circumstance. For instance, "Certain children may benefit from specialized educational programs." You can use alternatives like "specific children" or "particular children".

What are some alternatives to "certain children"?

Alternatives include "some children", "particular children", or "specific children", depending on the context and the degree of specificity you want to convey.

Is it better to say "certain children" or "some children"?

The choice between "certain children" and "some children" depends on the context. "Certain children" implies a more specific, often pre-defined group, whereas "some children" is more general. If you have specific criteria in mind, "certain children" is more appropriate.

What does "certain children" mean in the context of educational research?

In educational research, "certain children" often refers to a subgroup of students who are being studied due to specific characteristics, such as learning disabilities, giftedness, or socioeconomic status. The phrase helps to narrow the focus of the research to a defined population.