certain students

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "certain students" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to refer to a specific group of students without identifying them individually, often in discussions about policies, behaviors, or academic performance. Example: "Certain students have shown remarkable improvement in their grades this semester."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Formal & Business

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

"It tends to benefit certain students.

The Guardian

Certain students have to 'whipped,' others touched and others praised.

The New York Times - Arts

It remained unclear Saturday if the gunman targeted certain students.

The Washington Post

They remind me of certain students and, compared to a few, appear to be trying harder.

The New York Times

Certain scholarships and distinctions will go unclaimed by certain students who might have won them handily.

The New York Times - Magazine

Their talk made me realize the subtle ways I'm being taken advantage of by certain students.

The New Yorker

The study found that certain students were at higher risk, including black athletes and Division I basketball players.

The New York Times - Health

In response, Ms. Borda has tailored certain classes, cutting out Sanskrit chants if she thinks it will upset certain students.

The New York Times

"Compound Interest," like "Artists Under the Influence," reflects the special relationships between certain students and their teachers.

The New York Times

Other teachers seemed to have branded certain students impossible, preferring to let the senior leadership deal with them.

The Guardian

Go forth and make the best of it.' You'd better believe that certain students can't handle that".

The New York Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "certain students" when you need to refer to a group of students without explicitly naming them, especially when discussing policies or trends affecting them.

Common error

Avoid using "certain students" excessively if the context doesn't warrant the ambiguity. If the students can be clearly identified (e.g., by grade level or program), be more specific to avoid vagueness.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "certain students" functions as a determiner phrase modifying a noun, specifying a subset of students without explicitly identifying them. According to Ludwig AI, this is a correct and usable phrase in written English, as evidenced by its frequent use in numerous contexts.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

63%

Science

25%

Formal & Business

12%

Less common in

Encyclopedias

0%

Wiki

0%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "certain students" is a grammatically sound and frequently employed phrase used to denote a particular, yet unnamed, group of students. Ludwig AI confirms its validity and usability across various contexts. While generally neutral in register, its appearance is most prevalent in News & Media. Remember to use it when referring to a specific subgroup without needing to identify them directly, but avoid overuse when greater specificity is possible.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

some students

More general and less formal.

specific students

Emphasizes the defined and particular nature of the students in question.

particular students

Similar to 'specific students', but can also imply a reason for singling them out.

certain pupils

Replaces 'students' with 'pupils', which is more common in British English or contexts referring to younger learners.

select students

Suggests a choice or filtering process.

designated students

Highlights an official assignment or categorization.

a number of students

Focuses on quantity rather than specific identity.

a few students

Indicates a smaller, less defined group than "certain students".

some learners

Replaces 'students' with the more general term 'learners'.

identified students

Highlights the act of identifying or recognizing the group.

FAQs

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

Use "certain students" to refer to a group of students without specifying exactly who they are. For example, "Certain students benefit from individualized attention".

What are some alternatives to "certain students"?

You can use phrases like "some students", "specific students", or "particular students" depending on the nuance you want to convey.

Is it better to say "certain students" or "some students"?

"Certain students" implies a more defined, though unspecified, group than "some students". The best choice depends on the context and the level of specificity you want to convey.

When should I avoid using "certain students"?

Avoid using "certain students" if the context requires you to be more precise. If you are referring to students in a specific grade, course, or program, it's better to name them directly.