certain ratio

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "certain ratio" is correct and usable in written English. You can use it when referring to a specific but unspecified ratio in a mathematical, scientific, or analytical context. For example, "The mixture should be prepared in a certain ratio to achieve the desired consistency." Alternative expressions include "specific ratio" and "particular ratio."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Academia

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

Once you start listening to Certain Ratio, it's difficult to stop.

The Guardian - Music

Joy Division, New Order, Section 25, the Fall and A Certain Ratio are my favourites.

The Guardian

No disrespect to A Certain Ratio," referring to the beshorted funk band on the label.

The Guardian - Music

TMEP was mixed with triethylenetetramine and epoxy prepolymer at a certain ratio to generate cured samples.

Polymer Degradation and Stability

To fabricate dual-pore scaffolds, PCL and NaCl powders were mixed at a certain ratio.

Materials Science and Engineering: C

The fist column was filled with oxygen-releasing materials at certain ratio by weight.

Water Research

Out Hud creates long, rhythmic tracks that evoke the anxious funk of the early-1980's new wave jam band A Certain Ratio.

The New York Times

Last year, Mr. Robertson released "Revtone" (Nuphone), an appealing album that mixes smooth dance grooves with spikier sounds that evoke the new wave group A Certain Ratio.

The New York Times

There's a story that David Byrne decided on Talking Heads' new white funk direction after watching A Certain Ratio support them in Manchester.

The Guardian - Music

But it is hard to think of many who have been as influential as A Certain Ratio and remained almost completely unknown to the general public.

The Guardian - Music

But the basic idea is that to be a tax-free deal in this circumstance, there had to be a certain ratio of cash to stock.

The New York Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

In scientific writing, ensure the context explains what components are being compared (e.g. "a certain ratio of carbon to nitrogen").

Common error

Avoid using "certain ratio" if you are referring to a specific quantity or volume rather than a relationship between two or more parts. If you mean a specific weight, use "specific amount" or "particular quantity" instead.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "certain ratio" typically functions as a quantifying noun phrase. It is frequently used as the object of the preposition "in" or "at" to describe the manner in which elements are combined or related. According to Ludwig, the term is structurally robust and follows standard English syntax for indefinite quantification.

Expression frequency: Common

Frequent in

Science

45%

News & Media

35%

Academia

20%

Less common in

Formal & Business

8%

Wiki

5%

Social Media

2%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In conclusion, "certain ratio" is a versatile and correct noun phrase used to describe proportional relationships across a wide range of formal and technical contexts. Ludwig AI indicates that the phrase is particularly prevalent in Scientific and Academic writing to discuss chemical mixtures, mathematical models and data analysis. Interestingly, the search data also reveals a frequent proper noun usage referring to the Manchester post-punk band "A Certain Ratio", which appears often in News & Media sources like The Guardian and The New York Times. When using it as a common noun, it serves as an effective way to highlight the importance of proportionality. For writers seeking more precision, alternatives like specific ratio or fixed ratio may be appropriate depending on the degree of exactness required.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

specific ratio

Suggests a precisely defined or exact numerical relationship

particular ratio

Emphasizes a unique or individual relationship between components

fixed ratio

Implies the proportionality remains constant or unchangeable

given ratio

Common in mathematical contexts to denote a provided or assumed relationship

defined ratio

Indicates that the ratio has been established or specified beforehand

prescribed ratio

Suggests a ratio that is required by a rule, law or instruction

certain proportion

Uses the synonym proportion to describe the relative parts

precise ratio

Highlights the accuracy of the proportional relationship

set ratio

Often used in informal or practical contexts to mean a predetermined mix

designated ratio

Implies the ratio was chosen or assigned for a specific purpose

FAQs

How do I use "certain ratio" in a sentence?

You can use it to describe a specific mix or relationship, such as "The chemicals must be mixed in a "certain ratio" to ensure stability."

What can I say instead of "certain ratio"?

Depending on your focus, you can use "specific ratio", "fixed ratio" or "particular proportion".

Is "certain ratio" formal enough for academic papers?

Yes, it is widely used in scientific and academic literature to describe proportional relationships where the exact values are variable or have already been specified.

What is the difference between "certain ratio" and "specific ratio"?

"specific ratio" implies a more exact and clearly defined set of numbers, while "certain ratio" is slightly more general, often suggesting that a requirement exists without explicitly stating the figures.