certain time

USAGE SUMMARY

"certain time" is a grammatically correct phrase that can be used in written English.
It refers to a specific or definite time, rather than a general or approximate time. One example of using "certain time" in a sentence could be: "I will meet you at a certain time tomorrow, let's say 2 pm." This implies that a specific time has been agreed upon for the meeting, rather than a general time like "tomorrow afternoon" or "around 2 pm." Another example could be: "The cleaning staff comes in at a certain time every evening to tidy up the office." This specifies a particular time that the cleaning staff arrives, rather than a general idea of when they may come.

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Academia

Wiki

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

"We just converged at a certain time".

The New York Times

Go to bed at a certain time?

The Guardian - Sport

Or he'd say: 'You go at a certain time.

The New York Times

Brutalism unwittingly evoked a national character at a certain time.

The Guardian - Arts

Call my sponsor every day at a certain time?

The Guardian - Opinion

It brought him back to a certain time".

The New York Times

"After a certain time, you want a change".

The New York Times

It sort of hit critical mass at a certain time".

The Guardian - Music

"You can't wait until a certain time to just change.

The New York Times

Fox, chairman of the drive, at a certain time.

The New Yorker

You have to be at the theatre a certain time.

The New Yorker

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "certain time" when you want to emphasize that a specific, rather than approximate, time is important. For example, "The meeting will begin at a certain time; please be punctual."

Common error

Avoid using "certain time" repeatedly in formal writing. While grammatically correct, it can sound less sophisticated than alternatives like "specific time" or "designated time" depending on the nuance you are seeking.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "certain time" functions as a determiner (certain) + noun (time) phrase. It typically acts as an adverbial modifier, specifying when an event occurs. Ludwig AI confirms its grammatical correctness and widespread use in various contexts.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

46%

Science

24%

Academia

13%

Less common in

Wiki

13%

Formal & Business

2%

Reference

2%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "certain time" is a grammatically sound and frequently used phrase, serving to denote a specific moment or period. Ludwig AI confirms its validity. While versatile, it is advisable to consider alternatives like "specific time" in more formal contexts. Its widespread usage across news, science, and academic domains underscores its general applicability. As the data from Ludwig shows, "certain time" is a valuable tool for specifying when events occur, and is more common than less formal alternatives.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

specific moment

Focuses on pinpointing an exact point in time, emphasizing precision.

designated hour

Implies a pre-arranged or appointed time.

particular occasion

Highlights a specific event or instance in time.

fixed period

Emphasizes a defined duration, rather than a single point.

scheduled time

Suggests a time that has been officially planned or organized.

predetermined moment

Highlights that the time has been decided in advance.

stipulated hour

Focuses on a time that is explicitly specified or required.

appointed time

Implies a formal agreement or assignment of a specific time.

given timeframe

Indicates a time period that has been established or allowed.

select moment

Suggests choosing a specific time from many possibilities.

FAQs

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

You can use "certain time" to refer to a specific moment or period. For example, "The package will arrive at a certain time tomorrow." or "After a certain time, the effects of the medication will wear off."

What can I say instead of "certain time"?

You can use alternatives like "specific time", "particular time", or "designated time" depending on the context.

Is it better to say "at a certain time" or "at a specific time"?

Both "at a certain time" and "at a specific time" are grammatically correct and often interchangeable. "Specific time" might sound slightly more formal, while "certain time" is more common in everyday language.

Which is correct, "after a certain time" or "after certain time"?

"After a certain time" is the correct phrase. The article "a" is necessary because "certain" is modifying a singular noun, "time". Omitting "a" would be grammatically incorrect.