in certain matters

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "in certain matters" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to refer to specific issues or topics where particular considerations or rules apply. Example: "In certain matters, we must adhere to the guidelines set forth by the committee."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Encyclopedias

Academia

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

16 human-written examples

And in certain matters — looks, money, tennis — we would do well to accept this.

The New Yorker

The Australian Broadcasting Authority exercises control in certain matters over the commercial private-enterprise services.

Encyclopedia Britannica

Let's say the bride has certain prerogatives, or the final say in certain matters regarding her wedding.

The New York Times

The skeptics know, too, that baseball owners have been known to be less than forthcoming in certain matters.

The New York Times - Sports

The High Court is itself subject to the appellate authority of the Supreme Court of India in certain matters.

Britannica

On a small scale, this is manifested in our unwillingness to assign authority to figures that are obviously much more studied and experienced in certain matters.

The Economist

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

44 human-written examples

One where there are enough well-trained early educators to ensure greater room for them to specialize in certain subject matter?

Forbes

"As is common in such situations, Mr. Blankfein and other individuals who were expected to be interviewed in connection with the Justice Department's inquiry into certain matters raised in the P.S.I. report hired counsel at the outset," Goldman Sachs said in a statement.

The New York Times

"As is common in such situations, Mr. Blankfein and other individuals who were expected to be interviewed in connection with the Justice Department's inquiry into certain matters raised in the [Senate subcommittee] report hired counsel at the outset," a spokesman for Goldman said in a statement.

Los Angeles Times

But it added that, in inquiries involving independent counsels, the Attorney General and the President were in no position to weigh the merits of such claims of privilege and that the independent counsel was in no position to consider the institutional concerns of the Office of the President in keeping certain matters confidential.

The New York Times

Clarify what type of advice you need from your board members, when they can weigh in on certain matters and how they can shape the nonprofit.

Forbes

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "in certain matters", ensure the context clearly indicates which specific issues or topics you are referring to. Avoid vagueness by providing clarifying details or examples.

Common error

Avoid using "in certain matters" without specifying what those matters are, as this can lead to confusion. Instead of saying, "We have different policies in certain matters", be specific: "We have different policies in certain matters, such as employee compensation and benefits".

Linguistic Context

The phrase "in certain matters" functions as a prepositional phrase, typically used to limit the scope of a statement or rule. It indicates that what is being said applies only to specific, though perhaps unspecified, issues or areas. As Ludwig AI confirms, the phrase is grammatically correct and usable.

Expression frequency: Common

Frequent in

News & Media

40%

Encyclopedias

20%

Academia

13%

Less common in

Wiki

7%

Formal & Business

7%

Science

13%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "in certain matters" is a grammatically sound and frequently used prepositional phrase that introduces specificity or limitation to a statement. Ludwig AI analysis confirms its correctness. It commonly appears in contexts such as news, encyclopedias, and academic writing, suggesting a neutral to formal register. When employing this phrase, ensure clarity by providing context to what 'certain matters' refers. Alternatives like "regarding specific issues" or "concerning particular cases" can offer nuanced variations while maintaining precision. Avoid overgeneralization to maintain clarity and effectiveness in your writing.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

on particular subjects

Similar to the original phrase, but uses 'subjects' to emphasize the topic under discussion.

regarding specific issues

Replaces 'matters' with 'issues' and uses 'regarding' instead of 'in certain', focusing on the subject of concern.

concerning particular cases

Substitutes 'matters' with 'cases', emphasizing individual instances, and uses 'concerning' instead of 'in certain'.

under certain circumstances

Focuses on the environmental or situational factors that influence the matters.

in some instances

Focuses on the occurrence of specific situations rather than general topics.

in definite situations

Emphasizes the clarity and specificity of the situations being referred to.

relative to specific concerns

Highlights the relationship between the matters and particular concerns or worries.

with respect to selected items

Replaces 'matters' with 'items', implying a selection from a larger group, and uses 'with respect to' for a formal tone.

when specific conditions apply

Highlights the conditional aspect of the matters being discussed.

pertaining to limited aspects

Emphasizes that only certain aspects or facets are relevant or applicable.

FAQs

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

Use "in certain matters" to introduce specific cases or situations where a particular rule, condition, or consideration applies. For example, "In certain matters, confidentiality is of utmost importance".

What's a formal alternative to "in certain matters"?

A more formal alternative could be "with respect to specific items" or "regarding specific issues". These options maintain a professional tone while clarifying the scope of the discussion.

Is it better to be specific instead of using "in certain matters"?

While "in certain matters" is grammatically correct, being specific can improve clarity. Instead of "The rules change in certain matters", specify what changes: "The rules change regarding employee conduct and data security".

Which is more appropriate, "in certain matters" or "in all matters"?

The choice depends on the context. "In certain matters" indicates selectivity, while "in all matters" implies universality. Choose the phrase that accurately reflects the scope of the situation you're describing. For example: "in all matters" is appropriate when you want to emphasize that something is true regardless of context.