certain ones were

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "certain ones were" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used when referring to specific items or individuals in a general context, often to indicate a subset of a larger group. Example: "In the study, certain ones were found to exhibit unique characteristics that set them apart from the rest."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Academia

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

3 human-written examples

Thomas Jefferson, the only true gourmet among our presidents, waxed ecstatic over fresh vegetables and kept a chart of when certain ones were available in his own large garden or local market.

The New York Times

It may sound like a bold promise, but Docker learned throughout the Beta period as they experimented with these applications, that certain ones were easy to move and others were not good candidates.

TechCrunch

His most essential creations are located in Japan, but certain ones were exported to the United States, which is why you can find one at the Piedmont Park in Atlanta.

Vice

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

57 human-written examples

"Certain ones are like art.

The New York Times

There are many minerals, but certain ones are necessary for optimal health.

Harvard University

In non-stoichiometric samples, there is a great diversity of chain segment situations since certain ones are directly connected to the crosslinks whereas others are relatively far away.

Polymer

Companies are getting funded left and right, new ones are popping up daily, and certain ones are seemingly starting to take off.

TechCrunch

I am an avid user of emoji and even after years of entering emoji, I still can't remember where certain ones are," he says.

TechCrunch

Much has to do with your major - certain ones are in demand, while others are in oversupply.

Huffington Post

Using too many products often leads to irritation and can potentially cause ingredients to inactivate, since certain ones are not meant to be combined.

Huffington Post

There is a reason why certain drugs are administered to someone and why certain ones are not.

WikiHow

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "certain ones were", ensure the context clearly establishes the larger group from which these 'certain ones' are being selected. This avoids ambiguity and enhances clarity.

Common error

Avoid using "certain ones were" excessively in formal or academic writing; more precise language might be preferred. Instead, consider alternatives like "specific examples" or "particular instances" to maintain a more professional tone.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "certain ones were" functions as a determiner phrase, specifying a subset within a larger group. As Ludwig AI shows, it is used to indicate that some, but not all, items or individuals possess a particular quality or characteristic. For instance, "certain ones were easy to move and others were not good candidates."

Expression frequency: Rare

Frequent in

News & Media

67%

Academia

17%

Science

16%

Less common in

Formal & Business

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Wiki

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "certain ones were" serves to identify a specific subset within a larger group, as confirmed by Ludwig AI. Although grammatically sound and appearing across various sources, its frequency is relatively rare. While suitable for general usage, more precise language may enhance formality in academic or professional writing. Related phrases like "some of them were" and "specific ones were" offer versatile alternatives, depending on the intended nuance. When deploying "certain ones were", ensure the broader context is well-defined to prevent ambiguity.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

some of them were

Replaces "certain ones" with the more general "some of them", indicating a non-specific subset.

particular ones were

Substitutes "certain" with "particular", emphasizing the select nature of the subset.

specific ones were

Replaces "certain" with "specific", highlighting the defined or distinct nature of the subset.

a few of them were

Uses "a few" instead of "certain ones", suggesting a smaller quantity within the larger group.

select ones were

Employs "select" to convey the chosen or preferred nature of the subset.

definite ones were

Uses "definite" to indicate that the ones being referred to are clearly known and identifiable.

designated ones were

Replaces "certain" with "designated", implying that the subset was chosen for a specific purpose.

some specific ones were

Combines both "some" and "specific" to provide a more nuanced description of the subset.

only some were

Focuses on the limited number of items within the larger set that meet a particular criterion.

a limited number of them were

Emphasizes the constrained quantity of items that belong to the subset.

FAQs

How can I use "certain ones were" in a sentence?

You can use "certain ones were" to refer to a subset of items or individuals within a larger group, as in "Of all the applicants, certain ones were chosen for their exceptional skills".

What phrases are similar to "certain ones were"?

Similar phrases include "some of them were", "specific ones were", or "particular ones were", depending on the nuance you wish to convey.

Is "certain ones were" appropriate for formal writing?

While grammatically correct, "certain ones were" may sound informal in some contexts. More formal alternatives like "specific examples" or "particular instances" might be more suitable.

How does "certain ones were" compare to "some of them were"?

"Certain ones were" implies a level of specificity or distinction that "some of them were" doesn't necessarily convey. The former suggests the ones being referred to have a particular characteristic.