in a certain state

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "in a certain state" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to describe a specific condition or situation that something or someone is in. Example: "The project is currently in a certain state of disarray, requiring immediate attention to get back on track."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Academia

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

38 human-written examples

I have seen a highway recently in a certain state.

The New York Times

Driving on a wide boulevard in a big Caddy can put you in a certain state of mind.

The New York Times

I've seen a highway recently in a certain state – I won't mention its name, it's 17 years.

The Washington Post

"With the collages, I have to be in a certain state of mind, and I need to spread things around, for visual stimulus.

The New Yorker

And it has the potency in question when the passive object is present and is in a certain state; if not it will not be able to act.

Massachusetts Institute of Technology

Instead, it was, unabashedly, an effort by Republicans to keep people whose wallets tended to be in a certain state away from the polls.

The New Yorker

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

22 human-written examples

The sequence analysis algorithm proposed takes into account the position of the states to fully consider the temporal dimension, i.e. the order in which a certain state appears in an image sequence compared to its neighbourhoods.

International Journal of Applied Earth Observation and Geoinformation

The terrorists'sole means of winning their war against us is to produce in us a certain state of mind--terror.

The New Yorker

The interest in a certain state-wide election was morbid in a way.

Independent

To do so they have to fit certain criteria and live in a certain states.

The Washington Post

As a hypothetical example, assume there were a million votes cast in the the primary for a certain state.

Huffington Post

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "in a certain state" when you want to refer to a particular condition or situation without specifying the exact details, implying that the specifics are either known or not immediately relevant.

Common error

Avoid using "in a certain state" as a crutch for vagueness. If the specific state is relevant and known, provide details instead of relying on this general phrase. This makes your writing more precise and informative.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "in a certain state" functions as a prepositional phrase modifying a noun or pronoun. It adds information about the condition or situation of the subject. Ludwig's examples show its use across varied contexts.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

34%

Science

34%

Academia

14%

Less common in

Formal & Business

6%

Encyclopedias

4%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "in a certain state" is a versatile prepositional phrase used to describe conditions or situations without specific details. Ludwig AI confirms its grammatical correctness and widespread usage. While it appears frequently in news, science, and academic writing, avoid overuse and replace it with more descriptive language when possible. Remember to use "in a certain state" when the specific details aren't crucial to the overall point.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

in a specific condition

Replaces 'certain' with 'specific', emphasizing particularity.

in a particular situation

Shifts the focus from a condition to a broader situational context.

under specific circumstances

Highlights the influence of external factors on the condition.

in a defined situation

Uses 'defined' to suggest a clearly outlined or established state.

in a given condition

Emphasizes that the condition is presupposed or already established.

under determined conditions

Replaces 'certain' with 'determined', conveying a sense of established or controlled circumstances.

in a peculiar state

Highlights the unusual or distinct nature of the condition.

experiencing a specific phase

Focuses on the temporal aspect, suggesting a stage within a process.

in a distinct phase

Highlights the separateness and clarity of the phase.

in a respective situation

Emphasizes the individual context or circumstances.

FAQs

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

You can use "in a certain state" to describe a condition or situation something or someone is experiencing. For example, "The project is currently in a certain state of disarray." Replace it with more descriptive language where possible.

What are some alternatives to "in a certain state"?

Alternatives include "in a specific condition", "in a particular situation", or "under specific circumstances" depending on the context.

When is it appropriate to use "in a certain state" instead of being more specific?

Use "in a certain state" when the specific details of the condition aren't crucial to the overall point, or when those details are already understood by the audience. For example, "The patient's condition improved, even though she remained in a certain state of discomfort."

What's the difference between "in a certain state" and "in a particular state"?

The phrases "in a certain state" and "in a particular state" are largely interchangeable. However, "certain" may imply a known but unspecified condition, while "particular" emphasizes the uniqueness of the condition.