for certain situations

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "for certain situations" is correct and usable in written English.
You can use it to refer to specific circumstances or contexts where something applies or is relevant. Example: "This policy is designed to be flexible and can be adjusted for certain situations that may arise."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Academia

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

49 human-written examples

Certain things work for certain situations".

The New York Times

"But my role is to be ready for certain situations.

The New York Times - Sports

Some favor digital cameras for certain situations or effects; a few use them exclusively.

The New York Times - Tech

There is a problem, for certain situations the regresors vectors are not a basis.

IFAC Proceedings Volumes

Just as you need the right outfit for a particular occasion, college freshmen need certain friends for certain situations.

University of California, Berkeley

This works well for certain situations; there's nowhere I'd rather be after a car accident than in an NHS hospital.

The Guardian

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

11 human-written examples

Stand up for yourself when certain situations call for it.

WikiHow

Many individuals, however, lack the confidence, motivation, or training to simply ask for what they want in certain situations; for example, when negotiating with an important client.

Harvard Business Review

The model is linearized and several linear controllers are designed for actuation at certain situations, in a way that the fuzzy control allows to handle these controllers globally.

IFAC-PapersOnLine

"We were a product company and people had to pay for it in certain situations".

TechCrunch

I learned how to control the ball more and look for teammates in certain situations.

Los Angeles Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "for certain situations", ensure the context clearly identifies or implies what those situations are. Avoid vagueness by providing specific examples or conditions.

Common error

Avoid using "for certain situations" as a placeholder without defining what those situations are. This can lead to ambiguity and weaken your argument. Be specific or provide examples.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "for certain situations" functions primarily as a prepositional phrase that modifies a verb, adjective, or noun. Ludwig's analysis confirms its role in specifying the context or condition under which an action, quality, or entity is relevant or applicable. For example, "This works well for certain situations" specifies when "this" is effective.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

39%

Science

33%

Academia

13%

Less common in

Wiki

9%

Formal & Business

3%

Reference

3%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "for certain situations" serves as a versatile tool to specify the conditions under which a statement holds true. As Ludwig confirms, this phrase is grammatically sound and commonly used across diverse fields like news, science, and academia. To enhance clarity in your writing, remember to provide sufficient context or examples when employing this phrase. Alternatives such as "in specific cases" or "under particular circumstances" can offer nuanced variations, but the core function remains constant. Avoid overgeneralization and provide clear conditions for maximum impact.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

in specific cases

Emphasizes particular instances or occurrences.

under particular circumstances

Highlights the specific conditions that apply.

depending on the context

Focuses on how meaning or application changes based on the setting.

in given scenarios

Highlights specific hypothetical situations.

conditional upon the situation

Stresses the dependence of an outcome on the circumstances.

subject to the conditions

Emphasizes that the situation is subject to specific rules.

contingent on the events

Highlights the dependency on occurring events.

in specific instances

Similar to "in specific cases" but slightly more formal.

as the case may be

A more traditional idiom indicating variable outcomes.

when circumstances dictate

Highlights that the circumstances will influence the results.

FAQs

How can I use "for certain situations" in a sentence?

Use "for certain situations" to specify conditions or contexts where something applies. For example: "This rule is applicable "in certain situations", such as emergencies".

What are some alternatives to "for certain situations"?

You can use phrases like "in specific cases", "under particular circumstances", or "depending on the context" depending on the nuance you want to convey.

Is it better to say "in certain situations" or "for certain situations"?

Both "in certain situations" and "for certain situations" are grammatically correct and widely used. The choice often depends on stylistic preference or the specific phrasing of the sentence. They are largely interchangeable.

What's the difference between "for certain situations" and "in some cases"?

"For certain situations" implies a known set of conditions, while "in some cases" suggests a less defined or predictable set of circumstances. The former is more specific than the latter.