certain student

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "certain student" is correct and usable in written English.
You can use it when referring to a specific student or group of students that have already been discussed. For example: The principal was especially proud of certain student's accomplishments.

✓ Grammatically correct

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

60 human-written examples

A certain 15-year-old.

The New York Times

That was it for a certain 7-year-old.

The New York Times - Travel

Interestingly, autophagy appears to facilitate necroptosis in certain instances127.

Nature

The recall affected certain H3 Hummers made between 2006-2008, and certain H3 or H3T vehicles made between 2009-2010.

Independent

In addition, alternative Ca2+ -independent mechanisms of PLSCR1 activation have been suggested under certain conditions68.

Nature

Last year, in a certain 5-0 victory [against Manchester City], I only score one goal.

The Guardian - Sport

One thing is certain, 55 Cancri e must now be a top target for the James Webb Space Telescope.

The Guardian

And after starting off strongly, certain SBS2 A-league ratings have been modest.

The Guardian - Sport

Certain E2s undergo E3-independent polyubiquitin chain formation and/or autoubiquitination.

Nature

Mechanistic investigations reveal that certain JAK2 inhibitors act via off-target inhibition of BCR-ABL.

Nature

In computer graphics this transformation is performed using a certain 4x4 matrix.

Stanford University

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "certain student", ensure the context makes it clear which student you are referring to. Avoid ambiguity by providing additional details or referencing a previous mention.

Common error

Avoid using "certain student" without providing sufficient context, as this can lead to confusion and unclear communication. Always ensure the reader understands which student is being discussed.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "certain student" functions primarily as a noun phrase, where the adjective "certain" modifies the noun "student". It serves to specify a particular student, implying that the student is known or identifiable within the context.

Expression frequency: Missing

Frequent in

Science

0%

News & Media

0%

Formal & Business

0%

Less common in

Science

0%

News & Media

0%

Formal & Business

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Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "certain student" is grammatically correct but lacks extensive usage examples. It's used to refer to a specific student, implying they are known or identifiable in the context without explicitly naming them. Ludwig AI confirms the phrase's grammatical correctness. To avoid ambiguity, ensure adequate context is provided when using "certain student". Alternatives include "specific student" or "particular student", offering similar meanings with slightly different emphasis.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

a particular student

Replaces "certain" with "particular", emphasizing specificity.

a specific student

Emphasizes that a known and defined student is being referred to.

that student

Uses a demonstrative pronoun to refer to a student previously mentioned or easily identifiable.

a given student

Implies the student is predetermined or part of a condition.

a designated student

Suggests the student has been officially chosen or appointed.

a select student

Implies the student is part of a group that has been carefully chosen.

one student

Highlights an individual student out of a larger group.

a notable student

Focuses on the student's achievements or characteristics making them worthy of attention.

an individual student

Draws attention to the student as a distinct entity.

a noteworthy student

Similar to 'notable student', emphasizes the student's significance or importance.

FAQs

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

You can use "certain student" to refer to a specific student when the context makes it clear who you are talking about. For example, "The teacher praised the efforts of a certain student in the class."

What's a good alternative to "certain student"?

Alternatives to "certain student" include "specific student", "particular student", or "designated student" depending on the context.

Is it better to say "a certain student" or "certain students"?

The choice depends on whether you're referring to one student or multiple students. "A certain student" refers to a single student, while "certain students" refers to a group.

What does "certain student" imply?

"Certain student" implies that the student is known or identifiable, but the speaker might not want to name them directly or feels the name is already known to the audience.