certain power

USAGE SUMMARY

'certain power' is correct and usable in written English.
You can use it to suggest something with a certain strength or power, or to refer to a certain authority a person or entity might possess. For example: "The president of the company holds certain power over the rest of the staff."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Academia

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

59 human-written examples

But it had a certain power.

The New Yorker

I had a certain power over him.

The Guardian - Books

State-sponsored homophobia serves to keep certain power relations intact.

The Guardian

"There is a certain power in agenda-setting".

The Guardian

No, but with it comes a certain power.

The Guardian - Music

And Rock Me Tonite still has a certain power.

The Guardian - Music

The drift is assumed only integrable to a certain power.

Journal of Functional Analysis

The headscarf is a symbol that has a certain power, she said.

Harvard University

Isnt the sugar in it helping to maintain a certain "power level"?

Harvard University

The quieter Biennale, which runs until Nov. 22, had a certain power.

The New York Times - Arts

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

1 human-written examples

The asymptotic expansions are certain power-logarithmic series of the normalized crack depth.

International Journal of Solids and Structures

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "certain power" to indicate a specific, though not necessarily precisely quantified, level of influence, authority, or capacity. It is useful when the exact degree of power is less important than its existence.

Common error

Avoid using "certain power" when referring to absolute or unlimited control. The phrase implies a defined, but not necessarily dominant, level of influence. If the power is absolute, use stronger terms like "complete authority" or "unquestionable power".

Linguistic Context

The phrase "certain power" functions as a noun phrase, typically serving as the subject or object of a sentence. It indicates a specific but not necessarily quantified level of authority or influence, as supported by Ludwig AI.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

44%

Science

34%

Academia

13%

Less common in

Wiki

2%

Encyclopedias

1%

Formal & Business

1%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "certain power" is a grammatically correct and commonly used noun phrase that conveys a defined but not necessarily quantified level of influence or control. Ludwig AI confirms its appropriateness in various contexts. Its usage spans across news and media, science, and academic fields, indicating a neutral to formal register. While it implies a specific level of influence, it's important to avoid overstating its meaning, especially in cases where absolute authority is implied. Alternatives like "specific authority" or "definite control" may offer more precise connotations depending on the context.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

specific authority

Replaces "power" with "authority" to emphasize the legitimacy and right to exercise influence, and "certain" with "specific".

definite control

Substitutes "power" with "control" to highlight the ability to direct or regulate, and "certain" with "definite".

particular influence

Replaces "power" with "influence" to focus on the capacity to affect character, development, or behavior, and "certain" with "particular".

distinctive capability

Changes "power" to "capability", indicating an inherent ability or capacity, and "certain" with "distinctive".

some degree of authority

Replaces "certain power" with a more descriptive phrase indicating a limited level of control or influence.

notable strength

Swaps "power" for "strength", highlighting the quality of being strong, and "certain" with "notable".

limited jurisdiction

Shifts the focus to the scope of authority or power, implying a defined boundary.

defined capacity

Emphasizes the pre-set amount of ability with this expression.

some level of control

Highlights that there is some but not too much control.

moderate influence

Underscores that the influence is not too strong or weak.

FAQs

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

You can use "certain power" to indicate a specific level of authority or influence, as in "The headscarf is a symbol that has a "certain power", she said".

What can I say instead of "certain power"?

You can use alternatives like "specific authority", "definite control", or "particular influence" depending on the context.

Which is correct, "certain power" or "absolute power"?

Both phrases are correct, but they have different meanings. "Certain power" implies a limited or defined level of influence, while "absolute power" suggests unlimited authority.

What's the difference between "certain power" and "potential power"?

"Certain power" refers to existing authority or influence, while "potential power" refers to the ability to exert influence in the future. For example, a government may have "certain power" to enact laws, while a new technology has "certain potential".