certain clients

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "certain clients" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used when referring to a specific group of clients without naming them individually, often in a business or professional context. Example: "We have tailored our services to meet the needs of certain clients who require specialized support."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Formal & Business

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

But the government says that since 2009, Mr. Eichler favored certain clients while shortchanging others.

The New York Times

On Monday, Goldman e-mailed certain clients, offering them the chance to invest in the company.

The New York Times

The S.E.C. is examining whether such companies are favoring certain clients over others.

The New York Times

Others question whether it is wise for Mr. Hubbard to take on certain clients.

The New York Times

There's a trainer who travels with and to certain clients, who can't be without him.

The New York Times

It benefits some, through overtime, or delays that help certain clients.

The New York Times

MP Mueller wrote about wondering just how honest you can be with certain clients.

The New York Times

We said that Intrade's data had been used as a price-discovery tool by certain clients.

The Economist

Certain clients, according to Mr. Welles, pay attention to the size of the knots.

The New York Times

They are also investigating whether his money management firm, Harbinger Capital Partners, gave preferential treatment to certain clients.

The New York Times

But regulators are concerned that banks may have shared information only with certain clients, rather than broadly with investors.

The New York Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "certain clients" when you want to refer to a specific group of clients without explicitly naming them, particularly when the specific identities are not relevant or confidential.

Common error

Avoid using "certain clients" excessively, as it can make your writing sound vague. If possible, provide more specific details or use a more descriptive term.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "certain clients" functions as a noun phrase, where "certain" acts as a determiner modifying the noun "clients". Ludwig AI's analysis confirms its grammatically correct and frequent usage.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

56%

Formal & Business

24%

Science

10%

Less common in

Academia

5%

Encyclopedias

0%

Wiki

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, “certain clients” is a grammatically sound and widely used phrase for referring to a specific group of clients without naming them directly. Ludwig AI confirms this, showing its common use in professional and news contexts. While versatile, avoid overuse for clarity, and consider alternatives like "specific clients" or "particular clients" depending on the desired nuance. Remember that in many scenarios, particularly in business and formal writing, being more descriptive than “certain clients” improves the quality of your message.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

specific clients

Replaces "certain" with a direct synonym, emphasizing the defined nature of the client group.

particular clients

Similar to "specific clients", highlighting the individual consideration of each client within the group.

certain customers

Uses "customers" instead of "clients", which can be suitable in retail or service industries.

select clients

Implies a deliberate choice or preference in the selection of clients.

some clients

A more general term, indicating an unspecified subset of all clients.

a number of clients

Emphasizes the quantity of clients, while still keeping their identity unspecified.

designated clients

Suggests that the clients have been officially appointed or categorized.

identified clients

Indicates that the clients have been recognized or distinguished for a particular reason.

a few clients

Indicates a limited number of clients.

privileged clients

Suggests that these clients receive special advantages or benefits.

FAQs

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

You can use "certain clients" to refer to a specific group of clients without naming them directly. For example, "We offer specialized services to "certain clients" requiring advanced support."

What can I say instead of "certain clients"?

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

Which is correct, "certain clients" or "certain client"?

"Certain clients" is used when referring to multiple clients. "Certain client" (singular) is grammatically correct when referring to one client, but it's less common. It would be more natural to use "a specific client" or "a particular client".

What's the difference between "certain clients" and "privileged clients"?

"Certain clients" simply indicates a specific group of clients. "Privileged clients" "privileged clients" suggests that those clients receive special benefits or treatment not available to all clients.