definite for

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "definite for" is not correct and does not convey a clear meaning in written English.
It is unclear when it could be used, as it does not fit standard English usage. Example: "This term is definite for the context of our discussion." (Note: This example is awkward and not recommended.)

⚠ May contain grammatical issues

Science

News & Media

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

55 human-written examples

If "human being" means something definite, for example, "two-footed animal" (Aristotle's dummy definition), then, Aristotle concludes, it is impossible that the same thing be a human being and not be a human being.

SEP

He is definite for the season opener Nov. 26 against Stony Brook.

The New York Times - Sports

Nine are definite for 2001-02, with several others ("Flower Drum Song," "Dracula") possible if their out-of-town tryouts succeed.

The New York Times

The Knicks (8-21) listed Jamal Crawford as probable Tuesday, but Crawford said he was definite for the game against Sacramento.

The New York Times - Sports

An electric-drive model is "definite" for 2013, VW said in a statement, but would be preceded by a natural-gas version.

The New York Times

"Retirement is not definite for Joe," Enzo told the Guardian, having also claimed prior to the Jones fight that his son could be persuaded to continue if someone "put $20m on the table".

The Guardian - Sport

A 2009 October Roanoke College poll had McDonnell ahead by 17pt among likely voters and by 19pt among who said they were certain to vote (who we'll call "definite" for the sake of clarity).

The Guardian - Opinion

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

4 human-written examples

Schur matrix S is negative semi-definite for h≤0.

EURASIP Journal on Advances in Signal Processing

Since the Laplacian matrix L is positive semi-definite, for any subgraph pattern (g_i), (q(g_i ge 0).

Brain Informatics

Since Q ˜ ( r ) is symmetric and positive-definite for all r > 0, one gets that B ( r ) is invertible.

Advances in Difference Equations

Then ϕ is convex on D if and only if its Hessian matrix ((frac{partial^{2}f}{partial x_{i},partial y_{j}}(mathbf{x}))_{ntimes n}) is positive semi-definite for all (mathbf{x}in Dsubsetmathbb{R}^{n}).

Journal of Inequalities and Applications

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When indicating certainty or suitability, use established phrases like "certain for", "suitable for", or "guaranteed for" instead of the less common and often grammatically questionable "definite for".

Common error

Avoid using "definite for" in formal contexts such as academic papers or business reports. Opt for more precise and grammatically sound alternatives like "certain", "guaranteed", or "suitable", depending on your intended meaning.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "definite for" functions as a modifier, attempting to express certainty or suitability in relation to something else. However, Ludwig AI suggests it's not a standard or grammatically sound construction.

Expression frequency: Common

Frequent in

Science

42%

News & Media

42%

Encyclopedias

8%

Less common in

Wiki

4%

Formal & Business

2%

Social Media

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, while the phrase "definite for" appears in a variety of sources, including news and scientific publications, it's generally considered grammatically incorrect and non-standard. Ludwig AI flags it as an uncommon and potentially inappropriate construction. It's better to use alternatives like "certainly for", "suitable for", or "guaranteed for", depending on the context. When aiming for clarity and correctness, especially in formal writing, avoid using "definite for" and opt for more precise and widely accepted alternatives. Consider the context to choose a semantically similar phrase to improve communication. The phrase is most commonly found in scientific and news media, though its correctness is questionable regardless of the context.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

certainly for

This alternative replaces "definite" with "certainly", which emphasizes the sureness or inevitability of something in relation to a specific purpose or outcome.

assured for

Similar to "guaranteed for", this phrase stresses the confidence and certainty that something will happen or be provided for a particular reason or event.

guaranteed for

This alternative highlights that something is assured or promised to occur for a specific duration, purpose, or circumstance.

suitable for

Similar to "appropriate for", this phrase highlights that something is right or fitting for a specific requirement or condition.

appropriate for

This alternative suggests that something is well-suited or fitting for a particular situation, context, or purpose.

sure thing for

This phrase is more informal and emphasizes that something is guaranteed or will definitely happen for a particular reason or event.

designated for

This phrase implies that something has been officially chosen or assigned for a specific purpose or role.

destined for

This alternative emphasizes that someone or something is fated or predetermined to achieve a particular outcome or purpose.

earmarked for

This phrase indicates that something (usually resources or funds) has been specifically designated for a particular purpose or recipient.

cut out for

This phrase implies that someone is ideally suited or has the necessary qualities for a specific role, task, or situation.

FAQs

When is it appropriate to use the phrase "definite for"?

The phrase "definite for" is generally considered non-standard in English. It's better to use alternatives like "certainly for", "suitable for", or rephrase your sentence for clarity. For example, instead of "He is definite for the team", say "He is certainly on the team".

What are some alternatives to using "definite for" in a sentence?

Depending on the context, you can replace "definite for" with phrases like "certain for", "suitable for", "guaranteed for", or "earmarked for". The best choice depends on the specific meaning you want to convey.

Is "definite for" grammatically correct?

No, "definite for" is generally not considered grammatically correct in standard English. While it appears in some sources, it's not a widely accepted or recommended phrase. More appropriate alternatives should be used for clear and correct communication.

How can I rephrase a sentence that uses "definite for" to make it clearer?

Consider the intended meaning. If you mean something is certain, use "certain" or "guaranteed". If you mean something is appropriate, use "suitable" or "appropriate". For instance, instead of "The funds are definite for the project", say "The funds are guaranteed for the project".