certain of which

USAGE SUMMARY

"certain of which" is a grammatically correct phrase in written English.
It is commonly used as a part of a relative clause to specify a specific noun being referred to. For example: "I have read all of the books, certain of which were recommended by my friend." In this sentence, "certain of which" refers to a specific group of books that were recommended by the speaker's friend. Another example: "She received several job offers, certain of which had a higher salary." Here, "certain of which" specifies a certain group of job offers that had a higher salary among the others received by the person in question.

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Academia

Encyclopedias

Wiki

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

8 human-written examples

Yet he also executed more dramatic history paintings, certain of which are overtly inspired by the work of Raphael.

Encyclopedia Britannica

What a long, strange road he has walked, never quite certain of which direction he was going.

The New York Times - Sports

First lien creditors sought support for their breach allegations in various ICA provisions, certain of which directly curtailed second lien creditor action in an insolvency context.

Columbia University

I am certain of which party I will vote for this time but that hasn't always been the case throughout my life.

The Guardian - Opinion

Plus the place is like some kind of weird labyrinth where you can be lost for hours - all the corridors look identical, you're never certain of which direction you're going in, and you can never find the damn exit.

The Guardian

To further stress the real-world applications of cataclysmic thinking, the book also includes a handy "apocalist" of items to have on hand (certain of which seem dubiously useful — what good is a compass in a magnetic field reversal? — whereas others, like tin foil, are always a good idea), and a last will and testament to bury in the location of your choice.

The New Yorker

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

52 human-written examples

That legislation protected the rights to (among other things) engage in real property transactions, appear in court, and make and enforce contracts--certain of which rights appear nowhere in the text of the original Constitution.

HuffPost

"A classic is classic not because it conforms to certain structural rules, or fits certain definitions (of which its author had quite probably never heard).

Huffington Post

I do confess, however, to taking pleasure in the passing on of certain trends, of which I have silently disapproved.

The Guardian - Lifestyle

Coral reef, ridge or hummock formed in shallow ocean areas by algae and the calcareous skeletons of certain coelenterates, of which coral polyps are the most important.

Britannica

Ebolavirus, genus of viruses in the family Filoviridae, certain members of which are particularly fatal in humans and nonhuman primates.

Encyclopedia Britannica

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "certain of which", ensure that the noun it refers to is clearly defined and understood in the context. This prevents ambiguity and maintains clarity.

Common error

Avoid using "certain of which" if the reference noun is unclear or ambiguous. This can lead to confusion and weaken your writing.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "certain of which" functions as a partitive relative pronoun. It introduces a relative clause specifying a subset from a previously mentioned group. The Ludwig AI confirms its grammatical correctness.

Expression frequency: Rare

Frequent in

News & Media

40%

Science

40%

Academia

20%

Less common in

Encyclopedias

20%

Wiki

20%

Formal & Business

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "certain of which" is a grammatically sound construction used to specify a subset from a larger group. It functions as a partitive relative pronoun, adding detail and distinction to your writing. As Ludwig AI confirms, the phrase is grammatically correct. While not exceedingly common, it appears in news, science, and academic contexts, generally maintaining a neutral to formal tone. Remember to ensure clarity in your reference noun and to use it correctly when distinguishing a specific portion. Alternatives like "some of which" or "a few of which" can be used depending on the nuance you want to convey.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

some of which

Uses "some" instead of "certain", indicating an unspecified portion of a group.

a few of which

Replaces "certain" with "a few", suggesting a smaller quantity.

several of which

Substitutes "certain" with "several", implying more than a few but not many.

particular of which

Emphasizes that the selection is specific and distinct.

specific of which

Highlights the detailed and defined nature of the subset.

selected of which

Focuses on the act of choosing or picking out a subset.

given of which

Suggests that the subset is predetermined or already known.

instances of which

Highlights particular examples from a larger set.

examples of which

Focuses on providing illustrations or cases from a group.

individual of which

Emphasizes distinct items taken from a larger source.

FAQs

How can I use "certain of which" in a sentence?

Use "certain of which" to specify a subset of items from a previously mentioned group. For example, "I have several books, "certain of which" are signed by the author."

What is a good alternative to "certain of which"?

Alternatives include "some of which", "a few of which", or "several of which", depending on the quantity you want to indicate.

Is it correct to say "certain of whom" instead of "certain of which"?

"Certain of whom" is used when referring to people, while ""certain of which"" is used when referring to things. For example, "I have many friends, "certain of whom" are doctors."

What’s the difference between "certain of which" and "some of which"?

While both indicate a subset, ""certain of which"" implies that the subset has specific characteristics or importance. "Some of which" is more general and doesn't necessarily highlight particular attributes.