certain documents

USAGE SUMMARY

"certain documents" is correct and usable in written English.
You could use it when you want to refer to a specific set of documents or to emphasize that some documents are important. For example: "We need to check certain documents before making any decisions."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Wiki

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

56 human-written examples

Investigators still lack access to certain documents from big banks.

The New York Times

Or am I just a name on certain documents?

The Guardian - Books

You can also "pin" certain documents, no matter how old, so they are always available.

The New York Times

He initially declined to share certain documents with regulators and his fellow trustee, James W. Giddens.

The New York Times

Requests for certain documents and testimonies were ignored or rebuffed, they said.

The New York Times

An F.D.A. spokeswoman said Nestlé had the right to not allow investigators access to certain documents.

The New York Times

It is true that the Arizona law makes it a misdemeanor for an alien to fail to carry certain documents.

The New York Times

"I believed it was accurate at the time," he said, "that there were certain documents I had not seen".

The New York Times

Levine has tried to keep certain documents -- including the actual motion for conditional release -- under seal until the hearing starts.

The New York Times - Magazine

There are certain documents that should be released as par for the course in continual government disclosure.

The Guardian - Opinion

In some instances, the committee sought to determine if certain documents had been improperly shielded under attorney-client privilege rule.

The New York Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "certain documents", ensure the context clarifies why these documents are being singled out (e.g., for legal reasons, due to sensitivity, or because of their relevance to a specific case).

Common error

Avoid using "certain documents" vaguely. Always provide context or justification for singling out these documents to ensure clarity and avoid ambiguity.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "certain documents" functions as a noun phrase where the adjective "certain" modifies the noun "documents". This specifies that the documents in question are not just any documents, but a particular set, often implied to be relevant or important in a given context. Ludwig confirms its correct and usable nature.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

61%

Wiki

15%

Science

12%

Less common in

Formal & Business

7%

Encyclopedias

0%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "certain documents" is a common and grammatically correct way to refer to a specific set of documents. Ludwig AI indicates that the phrase is readily usable in various contexts. Its function is to single out particular documents from a larger group, and its purpose is often to direct attention to those documents that are deemed relevant or important. It is frequently found in news and media, as well as in scientific and wiki contexts. Alternatives include "specific documents" or "relevant documents". When using this phrase, ensure you provide adequate context to justify why these documents are being singled out.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

specific documents

Replaces "certain" with "specific", emphasizing the defined nature of the documents.

particular documents

Uses "particular" to highlight the distinctiveness of the documents.

designated documents

Indicates documents that have been officially selected or appointed.

specified documents

Suggests the documents have been explicitly named or detailed.

relevant documents

Focuses on documents that are pertinent to a particular matter.

pertinent documents

Similar to "relevant documents", stressing the documents' direct connection to the subject.

required documents

Emphasizes that these documents are necessary or obligatory.

select documents

Implies a careful choice or filtering of the documents.

identified documents

Highlights that the documents have been recognized or pinpointed.

mentioned documents

Refers to documents that have been previously cited or alluded to.

FAQs

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

You can use "certain documents" to refer to a specific set of documents that are relevant to a particular situation. For example, "The lawyer requested access to "certain documents" related to the case".

What is a good alternative to "certain documents"?

Alternatives include "specific documents", "designated documents", or "relevant documents", depending on the context.

Is it better to say "specific documents" or "certain documents"?

Both "certain documents" and "specific documents" are correct, but "specific" emphasizes the defined nature of the documents more strongly than "certain".

What does it mean when someone asks for "certain documents"?

It usually means they are requesting a specific set of documents that are important or necessary for a particular purpose, such as a legal investigation or an audit.