certain customers

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "certain customers" is correct and usable in written English.
You can use this phrase to refer to a group of customers who have been specified in some way, or to highlight that not all customers may be affected by a situation. For example: "Certain customers may qualify for an additional discount."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

59 human-written examples

Not everybody is convinced that throttling certain customers is the best solution for network traffic.

The New York Times

I give credit to certain customers – I call it putting goods "on hold".

The Guardian - Lifestyle

We understand that for certain customers, funds are being held even if the attempted transaction has been unsuccessful.

Independent

Nor could it be taken as a shock, really, that he was slipping packets of heroin to certain customers.

The New York Times

So WSI considered various methods of selling it, including releasing it earlier to certain customers for a higher fee.

The Economist

And I would say there was a period when certain customers abandoned us and moved into that world".

The New York Times

To spell it out, though it pains me: Amazon has in the past charged certain customers higher prices than others.

The New York Times - Magazine

The company missed out on revenue that it would have gained from raising rates for certain customers.

The New York Times

Why, he asked, did the railroads beseech the Kremlin for money when certain customers got special shipping discounts?

The New York Times

The SEC also brought civil charges against Mr Connelly, accusing him of allowing certain customers to engage in "market timing", ie, the rapid trading of mutual-fund shares.

The Economist

So Cablecom offered certain customers special deals seven months into their subscription and reaped the rewards.Agony and tortureSuch data-mining has a dubious reputation.

The Economist

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Replace "certain customers" with more descriptive terms like “premium subscribers” or “high-volume purchasers” when possible, to enhance clarity.

Common error

Avoid using "certain customers" without further clarification, as it can lead to confusion. Instead of saying "Certain customers receive priority support", specify "Customers with premium subscriptions receive priority support".

Linguistic Context

The phrase "certain customers" functions as a determiner + noun, where "certain" modifies the noun "customers", specifying a subset of all customers. As Ludwig AI confirms, the phrase is grammatically correct and frequently used.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

79%

Science

13%

Formal & Business

8%

Less common in

Encyclopedias

0%

Wiki

0%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "certain customers" is a grammatically sound and frequently employed term used to denote a specific subset of a larger customer base. Ludwig AI confirms its correctness and widespread applicability. Its purpose is to specify that a statement or condition applies only to some customers, distinguishing them from the entire group. The phrase maintains a neutral tone and is used across various domains, including news, science, and business. For enhanced clarity, it's advisable to provide explicit criteria to define "certain" when using the phrase, otherwise, alternative, more explicit phrases could be used to make your communication more accurate.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

specific clients

Replaces "customers" with "clients", implying a more professional or business-oriented relationship.

identified buyers

Replaces "certain" with "identified", stressing that the customers have been specifically identified.

particular patrons

Substitutes "customers" with "patrons", suggesting a more formal or loyal relationship, often used in the context of arts or dining.

select clientele

Replaces "customers" with "clientele", indicating a more exclusive or high-end group of customers.

a subset of shoppers

More formally denotes that it refers to a portion of all shoppers.

designated consumers

Uses "consumers" instead of "customers", focusing on their role as consumers of goods or services; "designated" adds specificity.

some purchasers

Employs "purchasers" to emphasize the act of buying, with "some" indicating a subset of all buyers.

a few buyers

Uses simpler terms, emphasizing a small number of customers who are buyers.

limited number of shoppers

Focuses on the shopping aspect and restricts the quantity of customers.

restricted group of users

Broadens the term to "users", applicable to services or platforms, and specifies a "restricted group".

FAQs

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

You can use "certain customers" to refer to a specific group of customers based on particular criteria. For example, "Certain customers are eligible for a discount" indicates that not all customers qualify for the discount, only those who meet specific conditions.

What's the difference between "certain customers" and "specific customers"?

Both "certain customers" and "specific customers" imply a defined group. However, "specific customers" emphasizes that the group is distinctly identified, while "certain customers" simply indicates that some criteria are used to differentiate them.

Is it better to say "certain customers" or "particular customers"?

Both "certain customers" and "particular customers" are grammatically correct and can be used interchangeably. The choice depends on the desired emphasis. "Particular" may add a slightly stronger sense of individuality or uniqueness within the group.

What can I say instead of "certain customers" when referring to VIP clients?

When referring to VIP clients, you could use phrases like "premium clients", "high-value clients", or "preferred customers" to convey their special status more directly.