certain relationship

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "certain relationship" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used when referring to a specific type of relationship that is not explicitly defined but is understood in context. Example: "In the study, we found a certain relationship between stress levels and productivity."

✓ Grammatically correct

Science

News & Media

Encyclopedias

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

The design bears a certain relationship to both previous plans.

The New York Times

Part of this is about a certain relationship with the Christian right.

The Guardian - Opinion

This was also strategic for maintaining a certain relationship of closer dimensions within the surroundings.

University of California, Berkeley

Furthermore, numerical simulations reveal a certain relationship between the invasion speed and spatial patterns.

Biosystems

The number of carbon layers shows certain relationship with the size of the core Co3C NPs.

Carbon

"He understood what I was trying to get at — a certain relationship of volumes, light and textures," Mr. Salle said.

The New York Times

One can find that the memristive connection weights have a certain relationship with the stability of the system.

Neurocomputing

We find that the memristive connection weights have a certain relationship with the stability of the system.

Neural Networks

After a detailed comparison, errors identified with these two models are discovered to have a certain relationship.

International Journal of Machine Tools and Manufacture

Like Hannah, I know that working through certain relationship things on the show made it possible for me to be in a relationship in my life".

The Guardian

You develop a certain relationship with the person and those who informed, and you see it through the eyes of the Stasi writer".

The New York Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "certain relationship" when you want to acknowledge a connection without needing to define its exact nature. This can be useful when details are not fully known or when the context implies sufficient understanding.

Common error

Avoid using "certain relationship" without providing enough context for the reader to understand the implied connection. If the relationship is important to your point, it's better to be specific to prevent confusion.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "certain relationship" functions primarily as a noun phrase, typically acting as the object of a verb or preposition. Ludwig examples demonstrate its use in indicating a connection or association that exists but may not be fully specified or understood. It is often used to introduce a topic or finding that requires further investigation or explanation.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

Science

48%

News & Media

37%

Encyclopedias

5%

Less common in

Formal & Business

0%

Reference

0%

Wiki

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "certain relationship" is a grammatically correct and frequently used phrase that indicates a connection or association without necessarily specifying its exact nature. According to Ludwig, the phrase is employed across varied contexts, with a stronger presence in scientific and news-related content. While versatile, be mindful of providing enough context for readers to grasp the intended meaning. For more specific situations, consider alternatives such as "specific connection" or "particular association".

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

specific connection

Specifies a direct association but highlights more of a link between two things.

particular association

Emphasizes a unique or notable link between items or ideas.

distinct correlation

Indicates a noticeable statistical link, focusing on interdependence.

defined interaction

Highlights reciprocal action with a clear mutual effect.

established link

Suggests that the association is confirmed or recognized.

noticeable interdependence

Highlights the mutual reliance with attention called to its visibility.

appreciable connection

Focuses on the substantial nature of the link between items.

identifiable association

Stresses the ease with which the link can be recognized.

tangible interaction

Presents the relationship as concrete and measurable.

marked correlation

Emphasizes the strength of the statistical connection.

FAQs

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

You can use "certain relationship" to indicate a connection or association between two or more things, as in: "The study revealed a "certain relationship" between diet and overall health."

What are some alternatives to "certain relationship"?

Depending on the context, you could use alternatives like "specific connection", "particular association", or "distinct correlation".

Is it appropriate to use "certain relationship" in formal writing?

Yes, "certain relationship" is suitable for formal writing when you need to acknowledge a connection without specifying it precisely. It's often used in academic and scientific contexts.

What's the difference between "certain relationship" and "specific relationship"?

"Certain relationship" implies an existing connection that may not be fully defined, while "specific relationship" suggests a clearly defined and detailed connection.