certain development

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "certain development" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used when referring to a specific type of progress or change that is not explicitly defined but is understood in context. Example: "The company is focusing on certain development initiatives to enhance its sustainability practices."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Formal & Business

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

44 human-written examples

CoreTek investors will get up to $1.43 billion in Nortel shares if CoreTek meets certain development milestones.

The New York Times

The value of the latest deal depends on Affinitac's meeting certain development goals, including getting federal approval for sale.

The New York Times

As I have argued elsewhere, it is quite plausible to reach certain development targets in ways that disregard some people or communities.

The Guardian

It would also have closed a loophole that allows Internet companies to occupy and construct "live/work lofts," meant for artists, that are exempt from certain development taxes.

The New York Times

"The real causes" of "a certain development" -- does it matter which one? -- lay far back in the history of American culture and the social and psychological effects of industrial capitalism".

The New York Times - Books

Amgen will make payments to Tularik over the next five years as certain development goals are met, and will work with Tularik to come up with new medicines, the companies said.

The New York Times

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

13 human-written examples

Mr. Ford cited "certain developments pertaining to the company," Fremont said in the statement without elaborating.

The New York Times

The US has criticised certain developments in Kyrgyzstan, but in general the main concern was about stability.

The Guardian - Opinion

Certain developments illustrate why Hosni Mubarak's regime will be harder to dislodge than Ben Ali's in Tunisia.

The Guardian - Books

The increasing public interest in the planning process is a start, but is too often negatively framed as campaigns against certain developments.

The Guardian - Opinion

Environmental Impact Assessments Luhde-Thompson: On Environmental Impact Assessments the Government says that these pose 'significant costs' and yet these only apply to certain developments with significant impacts.

The Guardian

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "certain development" when you want to indicate a specific but not necessarily detailed type of progress or unfolding. For instance, "The project hinges on certain development milestones" clearly conveys the importance of achieving specific advancements without listing them.

Common error

Avoid using "certain development" when the context doesn't clearly imply what the development is. Instead of saying "Certain development is expected", provide more detail, such as "Specific technological development is expected to improve efficiency".

Linguistic Context

The phrase "certain development" functions as a noun phrase where "certain" acts as a determiner specifying a particular, though not explicitly defined, instance of development. Ludwig AI confirms its correct usage.

Expression frequency: Common

Frequent in

News & Media

36%

Science

34%

Formal & Business

14%

Less common in

Wiki

4%

Encyclopedias

0%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "certain development" is a grammatically sound and frequently used phrase to indicate a specific yet undefined instance of progress or growth. Ludwig's analysis of various sources confirms its prevalence across news, science, and formal business contexts. When writing, it's crucial to provide adequate context to avoid vagueness and ensure clarity. Alternatives such as "specific advancement" or "definite progress" can be used depending on the desired emphasis. The phrase's neutral register allows for versatile application across different writing styles and purposes. As Ludwig AI underlines, the phrase "certain development" is correct and usable in written English.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

specific advancement

Replaces "development" with a more direct synonym, "advancement", emphasizing progress.

particular evolution

Substitutes "development" with "evolution", suggesting a gradual process of change.

definite progress

Uses "progress" instead of "development", highlighting forward movement with certainty.

distinct improvement

Emphasizes the positive change associated with the development.

determined growth

Suggests a purposeful and resolute increase or expansion.

designated advancement

Implies that the advancement has been specified or appointed beforehand.

precise elaboration

Focuses on the detailed and exact unfolding of something.

concrete expansion

Highlights the tangible and measurable increase or enlargement.

fixed maturation

Suggests a predetermined or set process of becoming fully developed.

select augmentation

Emphasizes the chosen or preferred increase in size, amount, or degree.

FAQs

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

You can use "certain development" to refer to a specific but unnamed progress. For example, "The company's success depends on "certain development" goals being met".

What are some alternatives to "certain development"?

Alternatives include "specific advancement", "particular evolution", or "definite progress", depending on the nuance you wish to convey.

Is "certain development" formal or informal?

"Certain development" is suitable for both formal and informal contexts, as it's a neutral and widely understood phrase. Its usage depends more on the surrounding language than the phrase itself.

How does "certain development" differ from "specific development"?

"Specific development" emphasizes a clearly defined progress, while "certain development" implies a known but perhaps not explicitly stated advancement. The choice depends on whether you want to highlight the clarity of the progress or simply its existence.