certain clue

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "certain clue" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used when referring to a specific hint or piece of information that is somewhat ambiguous or not fully defined. Example: "The detective found a certain clue that led him to believe the case was more complicated than it seemed."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

1 human-written examples

It's a certain clue.

The New York Times

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

58 human-written examples

Nonetheless, certain clues can at least help you distinguish between dry and fruity wines.

The New York Times - Food

But the longer one spends in Qaddafi's company, the more certain clues peek through.

The New York Times - Magazine

In seeking to distinguish between symptoms caused by poisons and mass hysteria, doctors seek certain clues.

The New York Times - Health

Officials declined to provide details of information that is mostly classified, but they noted certain clues.

The New York Times

The list, excerpted below, offers certain clues about the life these two may lead.

The New York Times - Magazine

Without administering an impromptu IQ test, there are certain clues you can use to gauge a person's relative intelligence.

Independent

Clearly some competitors felt so sure of the answer to certain clues on sight that they didn't double-check them.

Independent

I have been studying the details of her life story in People, and though there is nothing directly about her politics, there are certain clues.

The New Yorker

But Ertan Seyhun, who owns two Prince Street stores called Institut that carry the creations of some 500 young, experimental designers, looks for certain clues.

The New York Times

Zamperini's life story provides certain clues to one of the most complex biological mysteries – what makes some people more resilient than others?

The Guardian

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "certain clue", ensure the context clarifies what makes the clue 'certain'. Is it reliable, verifiable, or particularly relevant to the situation?

Common error

Avoid presenting a "certain clue" as definitive proof. A clue, even if seemingly certain, should still be considered a piece of evidence among others, not an absolute conclusion.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "certain clue" functions primarily as a noun phrase, where "certain" modifies the noun "clue". It describes a specific piece of information or evidence that suggests something, as exemplified by Ludwig where the phrase indicates something knowable by someone.

Expression frequency: Rare

Frequent in

News & Media

50%

Science

50%

Formal & Business

0%

Less common in

Wiki

0%

Academia

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "certain clue" is a noun phrase indicating a hint or piece of evidence that strongly suggests a particular conclusion. Ludwig AI indicates that the phrase is grammatically correct and usable. Its primary function is to highlight a piece of significant information, often found in News & Media and scientific contexts. While semantically similar alternatives exist, such as "definite hint" or "clear indication", it's important to avoid overstating the importance of the clue, treating it as suggestive rather than definitive evidence.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

definite hint

Emphasizes the clarity and unambiguity of the clue.

clear indication

Focuses on the signaling aspect of the clue, highlighting its suggestive nature.

specific lead

Highlights the investigative value of the clue, suggesting a direction for further inquiry.

particular sign

Points to the clue as a specific and noteworthy signal.

distinct evidence

Highlights the clarity and unambiguity of the evidence.

noteworthy indicator

Emphasizes the significance of the clue as something worth paying attention to.

unmistakable sign

Emphasizes how easily the sign can be understood.

significant indicator

Underscores the importance and impact of the indicator.

telling detail

Suggests the detail reveals something important or informative.

revealing fact

Focuses on the informative nature of the fact, highlighting its capacity to disclose something.

FAQs

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

You can use "certain clue" to indicate a hint or piece of evidence that points towards a particular conclusion. For example, "The detective found a certain clue that suggested the suspect's motive."

What is a good alternative to "certain clue"?

Depending on the context, you could use "definite hint", "clear indication", or "specific lead" as alternatives to "certain clue".

What does it mean to say something is a "certain clue"?

Calling something a "certain clue" means that it strongly suggests a particular fact or conclusion. However, it does not necessarily guarantee that the conclusion is correct; it simply makes it more probable.

Is "certain clue" formal or informal language?

"Certain clue" is suitable for both formal and informal contexts. Its appropriateness depends more on the surrounding vocabulary and the overall tone of the communication.