Collocations for "certain"
Common phrases and expressions where native English speakers use the word "certain" in context.
WordReference English Collocations © 2026
certain
ⓘMost examples are given in US English. We have labeled exceptions as UK.adj
- a certain [amount, number] of
- certain [kinds, types] of [bags, cars, houses]
- in certain [areas, places, cities, countries]
- has a certain way of [acting, talking, dressing] (that)
- (always) [acts] in a certain way
- (need to be) in a certain frame of mind (in order to)
- (only) under certain [conditions, terms, circumstances]
- a certain [hesitance, doubt, reluctance] to
- a certain [somebody, someone, person] has been trying to
- I am certain of it!
- I am certain of one thing
- you can be certain of that!
- you can be certain (that) I'll
- am certain she'll [come, turn up, finish on time]
- am certain that I [passed, did well, got the job]
- is certain of [passing]
- is certain to [show up] at the party
- [war, famine, disaster] was certain after the
- nothing is certain
- I'm not certain, but [I think, it's possible, it could be]
- you can never be certain
- we cannot be certain [of, that]
'certain' also found in these entries (note: many are not synonyms or translations):
accord
- alike
- amount
- annoying
- appropriate
- assessment
- author
- brand
- clarity
- component
- confer
- conform
- correspondence
- curfew
- degree
- different
- discrepancy
- dislike
- distinguish
- disturbance
- emotion
- emphasize
- encompass
- entitle
- entity
- erase
- exception
- extent
- face
- factor
- fairly
- fulfill
- goal
- inconvenience
- instruct
- insure
- intimate
- inventory
- know
- lack
- level
- mandatory
- member
- not
- occur
- percentage
- personnel
- proficiency
- project
- recipe