certain tale

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "certain tale" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used when referring to a specific story or narrative that is known or implied in the context. Example: "In the realm of folklore, there exists a certain tale that speaks of bravery and sacrifice."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

2 human-written examples

Holding his readers in suspense, he diverts us with an anecdote: "Now I will tell you a certain tale..."...

The Guardian - Books

Additionally, certain TALE repeats have been reported to be insensitive to 5mC modification and therefore could be employed to overcome this limitation [ 91].

Clinical Epigenetics

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

57 human-written examples

Writer gives examples of effects certain tales have.

The New Yorker

(Rereading the stories, I began to see that, as well as collating extant work, there were links between the themes of certain tales, and the work or practices of certain artists).

The Guardian - Books

Certain tales have defied translators, as a Guardian review of 1934 alludes to when passing over "that one notorious story which ought always to be left in the Tuscan".

The Guardian - Books

She disapproves of, dislikes, deplores dishonesty, is not amused by certain tales of chicanery, despises or pities those who succeed by dishonest means rather than thinking they have been clever, is unsurprised, or pleased (as appropriate) when honesty triumphs, is shocked or distressed when those near and dear to her do what is dishonest and so on.

SEP

This approach allowed the researchers to trace certain tales, such as The Smith and the Devil, which tells the story of a blacksmith who makes a deal with the devil in exchange for unmatched smithing prowess, back thousands of years all the way to the Proto-Indo-European people.

Science Magazine

"I know that folklorically certain tales are told about how on certain days one could consider that we both took a take-no-prisoners approach.

Los Angeles Times

There were certain tales"The Emperor's New Clothes," for example, and Christina Rossetti's "Goblin Market --that dealt with issues of peers and peer-pressure beautifully, that I really wanted to include.

Huffington Post

Even that dark and often disturbing novel reveals a certain fairy-tale sensibility.

The New York Times - Books

Dan Simon, the publisher of Seven Stories Press, worries more about why certain traumatic tales get published and others don't.

The New Yorker

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "certain tale", ensure the context provides enough information for the reader to understand which specific story you are referring to, or be prepared to introduce it.

Common error

Avoid using "certain tale" repeatedly without clarifying which story you mean. This can confuse readers and weaken your writing. Instead, vary your language or provide more specific details.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "certain tale" functions as a noun phrase, where "certain" acts as a determiner specifying a particular story. Ludwig AI indicates this phrase is correct and usable, serving to introduce or reference a specific narrative. For instance, the Ludwig examples show it used to refer to established stories or anecdotes.

Expression frequency: Rare

Frequent in

News & Media

50%

Science

50%

Encyclopedias

0%

Less common in

Formal & Business

0%

Wiki

0%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "certain tale" is a phrase used to denote a specific story or narrative, functioning as a noun phrase with "certain" acting as a determiner. Ludwig confirms its grammatical correctness and usability, noting its occurrence in both news/media and scientific contexts. Although its frequency is rare, the phrase serves to reference a story that is either known or about to be revealed, carrying a neutral register suitable for various writing styles. When using this phrase, clarity is essential; ensure the context provides enough information to avoid confusing the reader.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

particular story

Replaces "certain" with "particular", emphasizing specificity but maintaining the same core meaning.

specific narrative

Substitutes "tale" with "narrative", offering a more formal synonym while keeping the sense of a defined account.

definite anecdote

Uses "anecdote" instead of "tale", suggesting a short, often personal story that is clearly defined.

precise account

Replaces "tale" with "account", indicating a detailed and accurate version of events, with "precise" enhancing the clarity.

established legend

Uses "legend" instead of "tale", implying a story that has been passed down and widely accepted as part of tradition.

well-known narrative

Highlights the familiarity of the story using "well-known", making it clear the narrative is widely recognized.

distinctive story

Emphasizes the unique character of the story by using "distinctive", indicating it stands out from others.

particular fable

Uses "fable" instead of "tale", suggesting a story with a moral lesson, while "particular" ensures specificity.

unspecified story

Replaces "certain" with "unspecified", emphasizing the lack of clarity about the origin.

aforementioned story

Refers to a story already mentioned, providing context.

FAQs

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

You can use "certain tale" to refer to a specific story that is already known to the audience or has been previously mentioned. For example, "The success of the project hinges on a "certain tale" of perseverance within the team".

What are some alternatives to "certain tale"?

Alternatives include "particular story", "specific narrative", or "definite anecdote", depending on the context and the level of formality you want to convey.

Is "certain tale" formal or informal?

"Certain tale" is generally considered neutral in tone and can be used in both formal and informal contexts, depending on the surrounding language and the audience.

When should I use "certain tale" instead of "specific story"?

Use "certain tale" when you want to emphasize that the story is not only specific but also potentially carries a sense of tradition, mystery, or intrigue. "Specific story" is more direct and neutral, while "certain tale" adds a bit of flavor.