one of certain

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "one of certain" is not correct and does not convey a clear meaning in written English.
It is unclear and lacks context, making it difficult to determine when it could be used effectively. Example: "He is one of certain individuals who have made significant contributions to the field."

⚠ May contain grammatical issues

Science

News & Media

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

4 human-written examples

The order of elements within a parent element is never constrained while the presence of at least one of certain CDEs is mandated.

BMC Medical Informatics and Decision Making

In the DSM IV, 33 only one of certain 'core' symptoms needs to be established to satisfy criteria A for schizophrenia.

British Journal of Psychiatry

As Mann himself commented in the afterword to his novel: 'the story practices a hermetical magic, a temporal distortion of perspective reminding one of certain abnormal and transcendental experiences in actual life' (Mann quoted in Bowker and Leigh Star 1999, p. 186).

Critical Public Health

Dr. Henderson has argued so outspokenly that polio cannot be eradicated that he said in an interview last week: "I'm one of certain people that the W.H.O.

The New York Times - Health

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

53 human-written examples

"Many of the earlier photos are possibly the only existing ones of certain properties," said Brian G. Andersson, the city's commissioner of records and information services.

The New York Times

The letter questioned why only White House-approved photos were the only ones of certain events allowed to be released.

Huffington Post

One function of certain New Economy innovations is to make choosing easier by automating it.

The New Yorker

In addition, only one molecule of certain gp41-specific IgGs appeared to be able to bind each trimer.

Virology

Death is one of the certain things in life but what is not certain is the when and the where.

Huffington Post

Having a signature (or safe) look is one of those certain things.

The Guardian - Lifestyle

If you're a pregnant woman, particularly one of a certain age, medicine offers you an ever expanding platter of testing options.

The New York Times - Books

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When aiming for precision, replace the phrase "one of certain" with clearer alternatives such as "one of the specific" or "one of several" to enhance clarity and avoid ambiguity.

Common error

Avoid using "one of certain" when you can be more specific. Instead of saying "one of certain options", clarify the selection by stating "one of the available options" or "one of the specified options."

Linguistic Context

The phrase "one of certain" functions as a determiner phrase, attempting to specify an item from a group with shared characteristics. However, its usage is often unclear and grammatically questionable. Ludwig indicates this lack of clarity. Better alternatives exist to provide precision.

Expression frequency: Rare

Frequent in

News & Media

34%

Science

33%

Wiki

33%

Less common in

Formal & Business

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, while the phrase "one of certain" appears in various contexts, including news, science, and general discourse, it is generally considered grammatically incorrect and lacks clarity. Ludwig identifies the phrase as flawed. To enhance precision and avoid ambiguity, it is recommended to use alternatives such as "one of the specific", "one of several", or other more descriptive phrases. Overall, opting for clearer language improves the effectiveness and correctness of your writing.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

one of the specific

Replaces "certain" with "specific" for greater clarity.

one of the particular

Substitutes "certain" with "particular" to emphasize a distinct item.

one of several

Indicates selection from a limited number of options.

one of various

Highlights selection from a diverse group.

one of those

Implies belonging to a recognizable category or group.

one of many

Emphasizes that the item is among numerous others.

one of a kind

Indicates uniqueness and being the only one of its type.

one of the few

Highlights scarcity or limited availability.

a certain one

Reorders the words, putting certain as modifier of one.

one specific

A more concise word choice which is simpler, more direct and clear.

FAQs

How can I rewrite "one of certain" to improve clarity?

Consider using alternatives like "one of the specific", "one of the particular", or "one of several" for better precision.

Is "one of certain" grammatically correct?

While sometimes used, "one of certain" can sound awkward. Rephrasing with more precise language often improves clarity. Ludwig AI points out that the phrase is "is not correct" and does not convey a clear meaning.

What's the difference between "one of certain" and "one of the"?

"One of certain" lacks the specificity that "one of the" provides. For example, "one of the options" clearly identifies a selection from a defined group.

In what contexts might I see "one of certain" used?

You might encounter "one of certain" in contexts where the speaker is trying to imply a selection from a group that has some shared trait, though it's usually better to be more explicit. For a clearer alternative consider "one of such" cases.