certain story

USAGE SUMMARY

"certain story" is correct and usable in written English.
You can use it to refer to any story that is specified or known to both the speaker and the listener. For example: "My grandmother always told me the most interesting certain story about her childhood."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Academia

Formal & Business

Wiki

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

56 human-written examples

It reprises similar themes and even certain story lines.

The New York Times - Books

"You never know what it is that pulls you to a certain story," she said.

The New York Times - Travel

"The monologues are evidence of when a certain story really breaks through.

The New York Times - Magazine

There's a certain story which keeps getting made into a movie every now and then, and I frankly wish the film makers would stop bothering with it.

Massachusetts Institute of Technology

A tightening in the polls that would create a certain story line that Mr. Ferrer is a man on the move.

The New York Times

They are designed to convey to us a certain story about who we are without our even quite noticing that they are doing so.

The New York Times - Magazine

Maybe you know a certain story with the name Ali Baba attached to it, but this Target Margin show, directed by David Herskovits, approaches "The One Thousand and One Nights" from another angle, focusing on a wily servant girl.

The New York Times

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

4 human-written examples

These are grim times, but it has not been strictly necessary for Sir David to tell us so.His play does have a certain story-telling value that comes with the conflation into one long evening (it is a full three hours for the audience) of a sometimes dizzying narrative.

The Economist

Certain books tell me certain stories.

The New York Times

Should we not pass along certain stories?

Columbia University

Newspapers, all the time, make certain stories their story.

The New York Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "certain story" when you want to refer to a narrative that is known or understood by both the speaker and the listener. It implies a level of shared understanding and specificity.

Common error

Avoid using "certain story" when the narrative is not previously established or clear to the audience. In such cases, provide more context or use a more descriptive phrase to introduce the story.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "certain story" functions as a noun phrase where the adjective "certain" modifies the noun "story". It indicates a particular narrative that is known or understood within a specific context, as supported by examples from Ludwig.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

74%

Science

12%

Academia

8%

Less common in

Formal & Business

3%

Wiki

3%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "certain story" is a common and grammatically sound way to reference a narrative that is already known or understood in a given context. Ludwig AI analysis confirms its widespread usage across various domains, particularly in News & Media. When using this phrase, ensure the audience is familiar with the story to avoid confusion. While acceptable in formal writing, clarity is paramount. Alternatives like "specific tale" or "particular narrative" can provide a more descriptive approach if needed. Overall, "certain story" is a reliable phrase for efficient communication when referencing known narratives.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

particular narrative

Focuses on the specific instance of a narrative.

specific tale

Emphasizes the details and characteristics of a tale.

precise account

Highlights the accuracy and exactness of an account.

distinct anecdote

Suggests a unique and memorable short story.

defined version

Refers to a clearly established and delineated version of events.

given situation

Emphasizes the circumstances of a narrative or situation.

known incident

Implies a widely recognized or understood event.

predetermined plot

Stresses the prearranged nature of the storyline.

established case

Indicates a narrative or situation that has been confirmed.

selected history

Implies a deliberate choice of a particular historical account.

FAQs

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

You can use "certain story" to refer to a narrative that is already known or has been previously mentioned, for example: "He reminded me of a "particular story" about his childhood."

What are some alternatives to "certain story"?

Depending on the context, you can use alternatives like "specific tale", "particular narrative", or "precise account".

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

Yes, "certain story" is acceptable in formal writing as long as the context is clear and the story being referred to is understood by the reader. However, ensure that the surrounding language is appropriately formal.

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

While similar, "certain story" implies that the story is known to both parties, whereas "specific story" simply emphasizes the detailed nature of the story without necessarily implying prior knowledge.