certain questions

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "certain questions" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used when referring to specific inquiries or topics that are being discussed or considered. Example: "During the meeting, we will address certain questions that have been raised by the team."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

57 human-written examples

And certain questions linger.

The New York Times

This broad analysis raises certain questions.

The New Yorker

His inspiration raises certain questions.

The Guardian - Opinion

And inevitably certain questions arise.

The New York Times - Books

Certain questions were unresolved and intensely debated.

The Guardian - Arts

You have to face certain questions.

The Guardian

They raise certain questions every year.

The Guardian

Certain questions trigger things in you.

The Guardian - Music

"Some of it is not asking certain questions," she said.

The New York Times

Still, certain questions remain; what really happened at the party?

The New Yorker

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

1 human-written examples

Certain questions cannot be silenced: Did she not love us enough to stay?

The New Yorker

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "certain questions", ensure the context makes it clear what these questions relate to. If possible, follow up with the specific questions to avoid ambiguity.

Common error

Avoid using "certain questions" repeatedly in a document without ever specifying what those questions are. This can frustrate readers and make your writing seem vague.

Linguistic Context

Certain questions functions as a noun phrase, typically acting as the subject or object of a sentence. As Ludwig AI states, it's grammatically correct and usable in written English. It's used to refer to inquiries or topics being discussed or considered, whether explicitly stated or implied in context.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

67%

Science

27%

Formal & Business

6%

Less common in

Wiki

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "certain questions" is a grammatically sound and frequently used noun phrase, suitable for both formal and informal communication. According to Ludwig AI, it's correct and widely used in English writing. Predominantly found in news and media, and scientific contexts, it serves to introduce the idea of specific inquiries or issues. While versatile, it's best practice to ensure context clarifies which questions are being referenced. Alternatives like "specific questions" or "particular questions" can provide greater precision when needed.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

specific questions

Replaces "certain" with "specific", emphasizing the distinct and defined nature of the questions.

particular questions

Similar to "specific questions", highlighting the distinctness of the inquiries.

some questions

Offers a less emphatic alternative, indicating an unspecified number of questions.

relevant questions

Focuses on the importance and pertinence of the questions being raised.

key questions

Emphasizes that these are the most important or central inquiries.

pertinent questions

A more formal way of saying "relevant questions", stressing their direct relation to the matter at hand.

definite questions

Suggests questions that are precise and clearly defined.

specific inquiries

Replaces "questions" with "inquiries", offering a more formal tone.

select questions

Implies a careful choice or curation of the questions.

designated questions

Suggests the questions were assigned or predetermined.

FAQs

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

You can use "certain questions" to refer to specific inquiries or topics. For instance, "Certain questions remain unanswered after the investigation."

What are some alternatives to "certain questions"?

Alternatives include "specific questions", "particular questions", or "relevant questions", depending on the context.

When is it appropriate to use "certain questions"?

Use "certain questions" when you want to indicate that there are specific inquiries or issues that need to be addressed, but you may not want to list them all explicitly. It is useful for summarizing a set of related inquiries.

Is "certain questions" formal or informal?

"Certain questions" is suitable for both formal and informal contexts. However, in more formal settings, consider using "specific inquiries" or "particular questions" to sound more professional.