certain others

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "certain others" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to refer to specific additional people or things that are not explicitly named but are understood in context. Example: "In this project, we will collaborate with certain others who have expertise in the field."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Encyclopedias

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

59 human-written examples

But certain others found it disturbing.

The New York Times - Books

The subtext being, of course, that certain others had.

The New York Times

It may have been on the verge of what Mr. Rumsfeld and certain others could tolerate".

The New Yorker

Now Tag Heuer has signalled its intention to enter the smartwatch market we are certain others will follow".

The Guardian - Tech

Certain others, able to grow best in the presence of low amounts of oxygen, are called microaerophiles.

Encyclopedia Britannica

"There are certain things I'd rather write in English, certain others I'd rather write in Turkish," she explains.

The Guardian - Books

The numbers plummeted in the late 1990s as the economy grew and legal immigrants and certain others were excluded.

The New York Times

Josette Morgan Potton, Bedfordshire Colin Stagg has shown a dignity that should shame certain others (Reports, 19 December).

The Guardian

In the two latter cases (and in certain others) Stalin sought to have the offenders executed and was thwarted by a Politburo majority.

Encyclopedia Britannica

Many matters are less certain, others are conjectural, and still others—such as the characteristics of the first living things and when they came about remain completely unknown.

Encyclopedia Britannica

Some local caravans still survive in the absence of alternative transport, and certain others because of some particular appeal or advantage.

Encyclopedia Britannica

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "certain others", ensure the context makes it clear who or what you are referring to, even though they are not explicitly named. This avoids confusion and maintains clarity.

Common error

Avoid using "certain others" when the specific group is unknown or unclear to the audience. Always provide sufficient context or specify who you are referring to, or replace it with "some others" or "other people" if the specificity isn't critical.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "certain others" functions as a determiner + noun, acting as a pronoun phrase. It refers to a specific group of people or things that are not explicitly identified but are understood within the given context. Ludwig AI confirms its correct usage across various sources.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

37%

Science

34%

Encyclopedias

19%

Less common in

Wiki

6%

Formal & Business

4%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "certain others" is a grammatically correct and frequently used phrase to refer to a specific but unnamed group of people or things. Ludwig AI analysis of numerous examples shows that the phrase is most commonly found in news, science, and encyclopedic contexts, maintaining a neutral tone. When using this phrase, ensure the context provides enough information for your audience to understand who or what you are referring to. For alternative phrasing, consider options like ""some others"" or "specific individuals" depending on the level of formality and specificity required.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

some others

This alternative is a more general and less formal way of referring to an unspecified group.

specific others

This alternative emphasizes the definiteness of the group being referred to.

particular others

This alternative highlights the distinctiveness of the group.

certain individuals

This alternative focuses specifically on people, rather than things.

certain parties

This alternative is more formal and often used in legal or business contexts.

certain entities

This alternative is highly formal and typically used when referring to organizations or abstract concepts.

other specific cases

This alternative emphasizes specific situations or instances.

remaining others

This alternative is more often used when referring to a residual group after some have been removed or considered.

some remaining individuals

Combines both “some” and “remaining” for a slightly more descriptive but less concise alternative.

the rest

This alternative is informal and refers to remaining people.

FAQs

How do you use "certain others" in a sentence?

Use "certain others" to refer to a specific group of people or things without explicitly naming them. For example, "Some students excelled in the exam, while "certain others" struggled with the material."

What's a more formal alternative to "certain others"?

In more formal contexts, consider using phrases like "specific individuals", "particular parties", or "designated entities" depending on the subject matter.

Is it ever incorrect to use "certain others"?

While grammatically correct, "certain others" can be vague. Avoid using it if the context doesn't clearly indicate who or what is being referred to. Replace with a more specific term if clarity is needed.

What is the difference between "certain others" and "some others"?

"Certain others" implies a more defined, though unnamed, group, while ""some others"" suggests a less specific and potentially more general group. "Certain others" often implies the speaker has a specific group in mind.