under certain circumstances

USAGE SUMMARY

"under certain circumstances" is a perfectly correct and usable phrase in written English.
You can use it to refer to specific situations or conditions that are required in order for an event or action to occur. For example: "Under certain circumstances, it may be necessary to take out a loan."

✓ Grammatically correct

Academia

News & Media

Science

Encyclopedias

Wiki

Formal & Business

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

59 human-written examples

Rumour abounds under certain circumstances.

Encyclopedia Britannica

Under certain circumstances data is missing.

Cornell University

Under certain circumstances, it may transmit disease.

The New Yorker

However, the confidence bounds may behave differently under certain circumstances.

Computers & Industrial Engineering

Continuous relaxation of WRSs occurred only under certain circumstances.

International Journal of Fatigue

Finger-like structures may be established under certain circumstances.

Chemical Engineering Science

He added, "I do believe in redemption, under certain circumstances".

The New York Times

But under certain circumstances the lease could be scuttled.

The New York Times

We only allow deferrals except under certain circumstances.

Cornell University

HOFFMANN: Well, under certain circumstances they naturally lasted very long.

Yale University

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

1 human-written examples

Significantly, under certain circumstances, macrophages can also propagate injury.

Genome Medicine

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "under certain circumstances", clearly define what those circumstances are to avoid ambiguity. Provide specific examples or conditions that must be met for the statement to hold true.

Common error

Avoid using "under certain circumstances" without specifying what those circumstances are. This can lead to misinterpretations. Instead, provide concrete details about the necessary conditions.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "under certain circumstances" functions as an adverbial prepositional phrase, modifying a verb or clause by indicating a condition or contingency. It sets the stage for a situation where the main statement only holds true if specific conditions are met, as Ludwig suggests.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

29%

Academia

24%

Science

29%

Less common in

Encyclopedias

7%

Wiki

3%

Formal & Business

7%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

"Under certain circumstances" is a versatile phrase used to introduce conditionality into a statement. It functions as an adverbial prepositional phrase, modifying the verb or clause and indicating that the statement is only true if certain conditions are met. Ludwig's AI confirms its grammatical correctness and wide usage. While appropriate for various contexts, it's often seen in more formal settings like news, academia, and science. To ensure clarity, it's best practice to specify what those 'certain circumstances' are. Alternatives include "in specific situations" or "depending on the situation". The phrase is very common, appearing frequently across diverse sources, and its meaning is well-established.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

in specific situations

Replaces the general "circumstances" with a more specific term, focusing on the situation itself.

depending on the situation

Highlights the conditional nature and direct reliance on the context at hand.

contingent upon conditions

Emphasizes the dependence on specific pre-existing conditions being met.

subject to particular conditions

Underscores that the outcome is not guaranteed and depends on fulfillment of conditions.

given specific criteria

Focuses on a set of defined criteria that must be satisfied.

in some instances

Suggests that the outcome is possible, but not necessarily the norm.

when specific requirements are met

Highlights that certain preconditions need to be fulfilled.

provided that conditions allow

Expresses a provision that the enabling conditions exist or are created.

depending on particular factors

Implies a more complex dependency based on multiple contributing influences.

if the situation warrants it

Indicates that the action is only appropriate or justified in specific cases.

FAQs

How can I use "under certain circumstances" in a sentence?

Use "under certain circumstances" to introduce a condition that affects the outcome of a situation. For example, "Under certain circumstances, a student may petition for early graduation."

What are some alternatives to "under certain circumstances"?

You can use alternatives like "in specific situations", "depending on the situation", or "subject to particular conditions" depending on the context.

Is it better to be specific instead of using "under certain circumstances"?

While "under certain circumstances" is grammatically correct, being specific is often preferable for clarity. Instead of saying "Under certain circumstances, this may occur", try "If X, Y, and Z are true, this may occur".

What's the difference between "under certain circumstances" and "in all circumstances"?

"Under certain circumstances" indicates that something is conditional and depends on specific conditions being met, whereas "in all circumstances" suggests that something is always true, regardless of the situation.