in a certain category

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "in a certain category" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used when referring to a specific classification or grouping of items, concepts, or individuals. Example: "The new smartphone model falls in a certain category of high-end devices that cater to tech enthusiasts."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Academia

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

34 human-written examples

They don't put you in a certain category".

The New York Times

"From the type of coat a person is wearing, whether it's cheap or expensive, shabby or well cared for, we place that person in a certain category.

The New York Times

Yes, if you're flexible and if you have done enough research to have a sense of what a hotel in a certain category should actually cost.

The New York Times

Income level might determine how to cluster stores in a certain category, for instance, but ethnic makeup might be more important in another category.

Harvard Business Review

If variety is increasing in a certain category, like breakfast cereals, the new products may be displacing old ones; there would, in short, be more product turnover than in other categories.

The New York Times

Does your lifestyle put you in a certain category of risk?" While some internists have additional training in cardiology or rheumatology, she went on, primary care physicians also have a network of trusted specialists for referrals.

The New York Times - Health

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

26 human-written examples

We try to put everything in the world into a certain category (Durkheim and Mauss 1969).

The Journal of Chinese Sociology

Item category reference profile (ICRP) Item category reference profile (Shojima et al. 2008) is a feature of NTT representing the probability that the test takers in a certain rank select a certain category (question option) in their responses to a certain question item.

Research and Practice in Technology Enhanced Learning

Here N is the total number of VOCs, C is the size of a cluster, and V and K, respectively, are the number of VOCs of a certain category in the whole data and in the cluster.

BioMed Research International

"When customers have a sense that there's a lot of price disparity in a certain market or a certain category, they'll do a lot of shopping around," said Philip Wolf, chief executive of PhoCusWright Inc., a Sherman, Conn., consulting firm that focuses on online travel.

The New York Times

After inviting friends, users can participate in shared photo tracks under a certain category, for a particular experience, etc. on the comfort of a big screen.

TechCrunch

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "in a certain category" when you want to indicate that something belongs to a specific, though perhaps not explicitly named, classification. This phrase implies a level of generality or abstraction in the categorization.

Common error

Avoid using "in a certain category" when a more precise classification is possible. Overusing this phrase can make your writing sound vague and imprecise. If possible, specify the category directly to improve clarity.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "in a certain category" functions as a prepositional phrase, modifying a noun or verb by specifying a particular classification or grouping. As Ludwig AI states, this phrase is correct and usable in written English. It indicates that something belongs to a specific, albeit perhaps not explicitly defined, class.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

44%

Science

34%

Academia

12%

Less common in

Wiki

4%

Encyclopedias

2%

Formal & Business

4%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "in a certain category" is a grammatically sound and frequently used prepositional phrase that serves to classify items or concepts into specific groupings. As confirmed by Ludwig AI, it is widely applicable in various writing contexts. It's particularly common in News & Media, Science, and Academia. While versatile, it's important to balance its usage with more precise language when clarity is paramount. Alternatives such as "within a specific classification" and "in a particular group" can provide nuanced variations, depending on the intended emphasis.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

within a specific classification

Replaces 'certain category' with 'specific classification', emphasizing precision.

in a particular group

Substitutes 'certain category' with 'particular group', offering a more general alternative.

under a specific classification

Uses 'under' instead of 'in', altering the preposition while maintaining the meaning.

belonging to a defined class

Replaces the prepositional phrase with a participial phrase, changing the structure.

falling under a specific type

Emphasizes the act of classification by using the verb 'falling'.

within a designated grouping

Replaces 'category' with 'grouping', focusing on the act of assembling items.

in a predetermined classification

Adds the concept of predetermination to the classification.

as part of a selected group

Shifts the focus to the selection process of the group.

included in a specific set

Highlights the inclusion aspect of the categorization.

under a defined classification system

Specifies that the categorization is part of a structured system.

FAQs

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

You can use "in a certain category" to indicate that something belongs to a particular, often unnamed, classification. For example, "The product falls "in a certain category" of luxury goods."

What's a more specific alternative to "in a certain category"?

Alternatives depend on the context, but you could use phrases like "within a specific classification" or "in a particular group". If you know the category name, use it directly.

Is "in a certain category" formal or informal?

"In a certain category" is generally considered neutral and can be used in both formal and informal contexts. However, in very formal writing, consider using more precise language.

What is the difference between "in a certain category" and "in a specific category"?

"In a certain category" implies the category is known but not explicitly named, whereas "in a specific category" suggests the category is clearly defined and often named. The choice depends on the level of generality you wish to convey.