certain detail

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "certain detail" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used when referring to a specific piece of information or aspect that is not fully defined or is somewhat vague. Example: "In the report, I noticed a certain detail that could change the outcome of our analysis."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Wiki

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

12 human-written examples

The latter method is outlined in certain detail and its practical usefulness demonstrated for some engineering reliability problems.

Procedia Engineering

(It's hard to ignore a certain detail in the film: the bleeping of certain names, an anonymity never available to its primary subjects).

The New York Times

First of all, this book is incredibly detailed, which is similar to how Simon wrote the Itch books; there's a lot of detail, so much so you can picture scenes with barely any doubt as to what a certain detail is supposed to look like.

The Guardian - Books

The tasting component challenges the student to verbally describe, in certain detail, six wines in 25 minutes — it's known as blind tasting and it is supremely difficult.

Forbes

When the two sets start to overlap, the dynamic evolution of each type of sweep zone can be described in certain detail (see below).

Journal of Petroleum Exploration and Production Technology

In quaestio 5, for instance, Italos talks about the same three types of genera in the same order, but a certain detail of his account proves to be quite intriguing.

SEP

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

48 human-written examples

But after being bombarded by bossy letters from sleepaway camp, I am frankly relieved that a certain detail-oriented preteenager I know will soon be headed back to school.

The New York Times - Tech

Certain details seem significant, even teasingly enigmatic, but never forced.

The New York Times - Books

Sometimes, the attackers are unencumbered by certain details, like evidence.

The New York Times

"We are different in certain details," Jimenez Jimenez suggests.

The New Yorker

There is also a Manet-like handling of certain details.

The New York Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "certain detail" when you want to refer to a detail that is known but not fully specified, or when you want to avoid being too precise.

Common error

While "certain detail" is acceptable, overuse in formal contexts can make your writing sound vague. Opt for more precise alternatives like "specific detail" or "particular detail" to enhance clarity and impact.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "certain detail" functions as a noun phrase where the adjective "certain" modifies the noun "detail". As Ludwig AI confirms, the phrase is grammatically correct and usable in written English. It points to a specific but not fully defined aspect.

Expression frequency: Common

Frequent in

News & Media

42%

Science

33%

Wiki

8%

Less common in

Encyclopedias

2%

Formal & Business

0%

Academia

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "certain detail" is a grammatically sound and frequently used phrase to denote a piece of information that is known but not entirely specified. Ludwig AI validates its correctness and common usage. While versatile across different contexts, remember that more precise alternatives such as "specific detail" or "particular detail" might be preferred in formal or technical writing. When to use the phrase depends on context and purpose of the writer. When you aim to be vague or when the specific information is either obvious or not crucial to provide at that moment, using the phrase is the best path to follow.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

specific detail

Replaces "certain" with "specific" for a more precise connotation.

particular detail

Uses "particular" instead of "certain" to emphasize the distinctness of the detail.

distinct detail

Emphasizes the uniqueness and clarity of the detail.

notable detail

Highlights the significance and worthiness of attention of the detail.

key detail

Indicates the detail is crucial or essential.

relevant detail

Suggests the detail is pertinent and connected to the main subject.

pertinent detail

Similar to "relevant detail" but may imply greater directness or immediacy.

consequential detail

Indicates the detail has important ramifications or consequences.

some detail

Reduces the emphasis on the specificity, suggesting a moderate amount of detail.

a specific point

Shifts from a "detail" to a "point", emphasizing a particular item or idea.

FAQs

What does "certain detail" mean?

The phrase "certain detail" refers to a specific piece of information that is known but might not be fully elaborated upon or specified. It implies that there is a detail, but it's either not necessary or not possible to define it precisely.

When is it appropriate to use "certain detail"?

Use "certain detail" when you want to acknowledge that a detail exists without needing to specify it completely. It is appropriate when the specific detail is implied by the context or when providing it would be redundant or distracting.

What can I say instead of "certain detail"?

You can use alternatives like "specific detail", "particular detail", or "relevant detail" depending on the context.

Is "certain detail" formal or informal?

"Certain detail" is generally suitable for both formal and informal writing. However, in highly formal or technical contexts, consider using more precise alternatives like "specific detail" or "pertinent detail" to enhance clarity.