like certain people

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "like certain people" is correct and usable in written English.
You can use it when making a comparison or referring to specific individuals in a general context. Example: "Some individuals, like certain people, tend to be more open-minded than others."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Wiki

Formal & Business

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

14 human-written examples

"Tom Hanks really doesn't like certain people in your profession," she said.

The New York Times

"We like certain people, but some people are just more fun and interesting".

The Economist

There are serious, serious policy considerations, and the fact that people may have differences does not mean they're evil, or that they do not like certain people, but that there are serious policy considerations that have to be resolved.

The Washington Post

So it's like, certain people who are hot, you can reach out and work with them".

Vice

If you don't like certain people, and your friend does, don't talk about that person or try to change you friend's view on them.

WikiHow

"He could see that he didn't want to be like certain people, like some of his friends.

The New York Times - Sports

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

46 human-written examples

"I have incredibly vivid memories of liking certain people because of their smell and being afraid of others because of their smell," she says, recalling packed bus rides filled with undeodorized passengers.

The New York Times

"I kind of felt like if certain people didn't like what you were doing then you were on the right track".

The Guardian - Music

But just as many of these phrases just sound like things certain people are more likely to say -- almost like a dialect, and no more wrong or right than "pop" vs. "soda" and "y'all".

Huffington Post

In addition, incidents like these can also produce PTSD-like symptoms in certain people.

Harvard University

By combining 7,000 different factors, the technology can match broad patterns of customer behavior to that of specific members, and 88percentt of the time it can correctly predict things like how certain people might next contact USAA (Web? phone? e-mail?) and what products they will be looking for when they do.

MIT Technology Review

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "like certain people", ensure the context clarifies which specific qualities or characteristics lead to this preference. Be specific to avoid ambiguity.

Common error

Avoid using "like certain people" in contexts where it could imply discrimination or unfair bias. Always ensure that preferences are based on objective criteria or personal taste, not on stereotypes or prejudices.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "like certain people" functions as a modifier followed by a noun phrase. It often introduces a statement about preferences or affinities towards a specific group within a larger population. As Ludwig AI confirms, it is correct and frequently employed in English.

Expression frequency: Uncommon

Frequent in

News & Media

60%

Wiki

20%

Formal & Business

10%

Less common in

Science

5%

Encyclopedias

3%

Reference

2%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "like certain people" is a grammatically sound and usable expression, as confirmed by Ludwig AI. It serves to express a selective preference, implying that the liking is directed towards a specific subset of individuals. While "like certain people" finds common usage in News & Media, Wiki and Formal & Business contexts, it is important to avoid overgeneralization or creating the impression of unfair bias. Alternatives include "prefer some individuals", "favor particular persons", and "appreciate specific persons", each offering a subtly different nuance. When employing this phrase, clarity and specificity are key to effective communication.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

prefer some individuals

Replaces "like" with "prefer" and "certain people" with "some individuals", changing the intensity of the liking and specifying the group.

favor particular persons

Substitutes "like" with "favor" and uses a more formal term "persons" instead of "people", indicating a formal context.

enjoy some individuals

Replaces "like" with "enjoy" and "certain people" with "some individuals", modifying the degree of liking and making it more general.

appreciate specific persons

Replaces "like" with "appreciate" and "certain people" with "specific persons", indicating admiration and respect.

have a fondness for particular people

Substitutes "like" with the phrase "have a fondness for", intensifying the degree of liking and making the expression more elaborate.

be partial to some folks

Uses "be partial to" instead of "like" and "folks" instead of "people", creating a more colloquial expression.

be fond of particular individuals

Replaces "like" with "be fond of" and uses "particular individuals" instead of "certain people", which shifts from specifying "certain" to specifying "particular".

have a preference for selected people

Replaces "like" with "have a preference for" and uses "selected people" instead of "certain people", suggesting a choice based on specific criteria.

be keen on specific individuals

Substitutes "like" with "be keen on" and uses "specific individuals" instead of "certain people", which makes the liking more enthusiastic.

value particular persons

Replaces "like" with "value" and uses "particular persons" instead of "certain people", which indicates a high regard.

FAQs

How can I use "like certain people" in a sentence?

You can use "like certain people" to express preferences for specific individuals based on shared qualities or characteristics. For example, "I tend to "gravitate towards" people who are optimistic, so I "enjoy being around" certain people in my friend group".

What are some alternatives to "like certain people"?

Alternatives include "prefer some individuals", "favor particular persons", or "appreciate specific persons", depending on the level of formality and the specific nuance you wish to convey.

Is it better to say "like certain people" or "like particular people"?

Both "like certain people" and "like particular people" are acceptable. The choice depends on context and personal preference. "Certain" suggests specific but possibly unspecified individuals, while "particular" implies a known and distinct set of individuals.

What's the difference between "like certain people" and "like most people"?

"Like certain people" indicates a preference for a subset of individuals, while "like most people" suggests a general affinity for the majority. The former is selective, the latter is inclusive.