certain sentence

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "certain sentence" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used when referring to a specific sentence that has been previously mentioned or is understood in context. Example: "In the context of our discussion, the certain sentence that stood out was, 'Honesty is the best policy.'"

✓ Grammatically correct

General Writing

Academic Writing

News Reporting

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

20 human-written examples

To determine whether a certain sentence is true, one must be able to understand the sentence, to know what it means.

Encyclopedia Britannica

It's common for an interrogator to tell a political prisoner to expect a certain sentence and then for the judge to issue precisely that sentence.

The Guardian

"So if we come across a document for translation with similar wording in the future, we can use parts or even the whole translation of a certain sentence again.

The Guardian

The judge, who had a mimeo copy of the argument, interrupted to advise the attorney that if he used a certain sentence in the final paragraph, it would do him no good and the judge would have to comment on the sentence which would not be pleasant for either party.

Harvard University

The order in which the samples of a certain sentence were shown was randomized.

EURASIP Journal on Audio, Speech, and Music Processing

I do not mean by my utterance that I am uttering a certain sentence.

SEP

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

40 human-written examples

Rereading them, certain sentences are what greet me as familiars.

The New York Times

But I do hope to select certain sentences.

The New York Times - Magazine

We have simply extended these procedures to certain sentencing cases.

The New York Times

We'll conserve computer resources by focusing on certain sentences over others.

Columbia University

But only certain sentences breathe and shift about, like live matter in soil.

The New York Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "certain sentence" when you need to refer back to a specific sentence already mentioned in your text or conversation. This helps maintain clarity and avoid ambiguity.

Common error

Avoid using "certain sentence" when the sentence you're referring to isn't immediately clear to the reader. If there's any ambiguity, restate the sentence or use a more precise reference.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "certain sentence" functions as a determiner + noun, where "certain" modifies the noun "sentence". It specifies that the sentence being referred to is a specific one, as shown by Ludwig's examples.

Expression frequency: Common

Frequent in

News & Media

30%

Science

30%

Academia

15%

Less common in

Wiki

10%

Encyclopedias

5%

Formal & Business

10%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "certain sentence" is a grammatically sound and commonly used phrase that functions to specify a particular sentence within a given context. According to Ludwig, the phrase is mostly correct and usable in written English. While alternatives like "specific sentence" or "particular sentence" exist, "certain sentence" remains a clear and effective choice. It's essential to ensure the sentence being referenced is easily identifiable to avoid any confusion. Its usage spans various domains, including news, academia, and general writing, making it a versatile addition to one's vocabulary.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

that sentence

A more direct way to refer to a sentence already identified.

specific sentence

Replaces "certain" with "specific", emphasizing a particular sentence.

particular sentence

Uses "particular" instead of "certain", highlighting a distinct sentence.

aforementioned sentence

Refers to a sentence previously mentioned.

the sentence in question

Indicates the sentence being discussed or considered.

the relevant sentence

Highlights the importance or pertinence of the sentence.

the noted sentence

Emphasizes that the sentence is worthy of attention.

a given sentence

Indicates that the sentence is already known or assumed.

the designated sentence

A sentence that has been selected for a specific purpose.

the subject sentence

The sentence currently being examined or analyzed.

FAQs

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

Use "certain sentence" to refer to a specific sentence that has been previously mentioned or is understood in context. For example, "In the context of our discussion, the certain sentence that stood out was, 'Honesty is the best policy.'"

What phrases can I use instead of "certain sentence"?

You can use alternatives like "specific sentence", "particular sentence", or "aforementioned sentence" depending on the context.

Is it redundant to use "certain sentence" if the sentence is already clear?

While not strictly redundant, using "certain sentence" when the context already makes the reference perfectly clear might sound slightly formal. In many cases, simply saying "that sentence" or rephrasing for brevity could be more effective.

How does "certain sentence" differ from "any sentence"?

"Certain sentence" refers to a specific, identifiable sentence, while "any sentence" refers to any sentence at all. The phrases are not interchangeable.