certain footsteps

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "certain footsteps" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used when referring to specific or identifiable sounds of footsteps, often implying a sense of recognition or significance. Example: "As I walked through the empty hall, I could hear certain footsteps approaching from behind me."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

1 human-written examples

When certain footsteps came into my room, I knew that they were those of a woman, and I had the feeling that she was not a nurse.

The New Yorker

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

55 human-written examples

For any of the children, there has to be a certain amount of pressure following in the footsteps of Willie Nelson.

The New York Times - Arts

Another challenge is the presence of certain sound events in multiple contexts (e.g., footsteps present in contexts like street, hallway, beach) calling for rules in modeling of the contexts.

EURASIP Journal on Audio, Speech, and Music Processing

Before shipping off to Europe, he was certain he did not want to follow in those footsteps.

The New York Times

The Rangers made certain this afternoon that they would follow in Quintal's footsteps soon.

The New York Times - Sports

Based on recent play, however, one thing is certain about Vogel's new juggernaut: even the Heat are hearing the footsteps.

The New York Times

Many people can be driven to distraction by certain small sounds that do not seem to bother others — gum chewing, footsteps, humming.

The New York Times - Health

Many people can be driven to distraction by certain small sounds that do not seem to bother others — gum chewing, footsteps, whispering, humming.

The New York Times

When a young girl witnesses her mother's resentment, she naturally equates marriage with a certain kind of soul-death and believes that she'll fall into the same footsteps.

Huffington Post

But for certain skilled positions like place-kicking, there are likely to be many candidates to follow in Ashley Martin's footsteps.

The New York Times

Following Nixon's footsteps.

The New Yorker

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "certain footsteps" when you want to convey a sense of recognition or anticipation regarding the sound of someone walking. The phrase implies that the listener is familiar with the sound.

Common error

Avoid using "certain footsteps" in overly formal or technical writing where more precise language might be preferred. In those cases consider alternatives like "distinct footsteps" or "identifiable footsteps".

Linguistic Context

The phrase "certain footsteps" functions primarily as a noun phrase, where "certain" acts as a determiner specifying the type of footsteps. As Ludwig AI suggests, this usage is considered correct and implies a recognizable or specific sound of footsteps.

Expression frequency: Uncommon

Frequent in

News & Media

60%

Science

20%

Formal & Business

10%

Less common in

Encyclopedias

0%

Wiki

0%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "certain footsteps" is a grammatically correct and usable phrase that implies the sound of footsteps is recognizable or anticipated. As noted by Ludwig AI, this phrase is accurate and appropriate in many contexts, particularly in narrative or descriptive writing. While the phrase appears across various domains, including news and media, science, and formal business settings, it tends to be more common in descriptive narratives. When seeking alternatives, consider phrases such as "distinct footsteps" or "familiar footsteps" to convey similar meanings. Though "certain footsteps" is uncommon, it adds a layer of specificity and recognition to descriptions of auditory experiences.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

distinct footsteps

Replaces "certain" with "distinct" to emphasize the clear and recognizable nature of the footsteps.

particular footsteps

Substitutes "certain" with "particular" highlighting the specific nature of the footsteps.

identifiable footsteps

Replaces "certain" with "identifiable", focusing on the recognizability of the footsteps.

specific footsteps

Uses "specific" instead of "certain" to stress the precise and definite quality of the footsteps.

familiar footsteps

Highlights the known or recognized nature of the footsteps by using "familiar".

unmistakable footsteps

Emphasizes the clarity and ease of recognition of the footsteps using "unmistakable".

peculiar footsteps

Suggests an unusual or odd quality to the footsteps, differing from the norm.

audible footsteps

Focuses on the audibility of the footsteps, emphasizing that they can be clearly heard.

approaching footsteps

Emphasizes the movement and direction of the footsteps, indicating they are coming closer.

distant footsteps

Highlights the remoteness or far-off nature of the footsteps.

FAQs

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

You can use "certain footsteps" to describe a sound you recognize. For example: "As I waited, I recognized her "certain footsteps" approaching the door".

What are some alternatives to "certain footsteps"?

Alternatives include "distinct footsteps", "particular footsteps", or "identifiable footsteps", depending on the specific nuance you wish to convey.

Is "certain footsteps" formal or informal?

"Certain footsteps" is generally neutral in tone and can be used in both formal and informal contexts, although more precise language may be preferable in highly technical or academic writing.

When should I use "specific footsteps" instead of "certain footsteps"?

Use "specific footsteps" when you want to emphasize the unique characteristics of the sound, while "certain footsteps" implies recognition or familiarity. For example, you might say "the "specific footsteps" echoed in the empty hall", focusing on the sound itself, or "I knew it was him because of his "certain footsteps"" emphasizing your recognition.