Confused about the use of ''certain''

Question

Can you, please, guide, about the proper use of certain?

Do you find the use of certain in sentences below correct?
1: Suppose there is a certain person who is very happy.
2: If a certain sentence is intended to be a philosophical one then it should be properly worded.

AlpheccaStars · Accepted Answer

Jackson6612Can you, please, guide, me in ~~about~~ the proper use of certain?

The sentences with certain are OK.

Here is an example (with apologies)
There was a certain man and he walked a certain mile,
He found a certain sixpence upon a certain stile.
He bought a certain cat, which caught a certain mouse.
And they all lived together in a certain little house.

Jackson6612 · Answer

AlpheccaStars
Jackson6612Can you, please, guide, me in ~~about~~ the proper use of certain?
The sentences with certain are OK.

Here is an example (with apologies)
There was a certain man and he walked a certain mile,
He found a certain sixpence upon a certain stile.
He bought a certain cat, which caught a certain mouse.
And they all lived together in a certain little house.

Hi Alphecca,

Apologies for what? For correcting my original text? If this is the case, then I'm rather thankful to you for doing this. Actually this is what I request to the memebers in my signature. To me, this is the best way to learn English . But memebers hardly do that because this makes their job more tedious.

Though you have okayed my original sentences but I believe there are places where certain shouldn't be used. I can't think of any example where certain shouldn't be used at the moment. Perhaps, you can help.

I wrote above: Do you find the use of certain in sentences below correct? Would it have been correct if I have used usage instead of use?

Thank you for the help.

Cool Breeze · Answer

Jackson6612I wrote above: Do you find the use of certain in sentences below correct? Would it have been correct if I ~~have~~ had used usage instead of use?

Yes, but I think use is more common in this context. This is what Webster's Dictionary says about the two words:
The nouns USAGE and USE are related in origin and meaning and to some extent overlap in their use. USAGE usually refers to habitual or customary practices or procedures: Some usages of the Anglican Church are similar to those of the Roman Catholic Church. It is also commonly used in reference to language practices: English usage is divided in the pronunciation of aunt. USE refers to the act of using or employing (something): She put her extra money to good use. Perhaps in the belief that it is the more impressive term, USAGE is sometimes used where USE would be more natural: Has your usage of a personal computer made the work any easier?

CB

AlpheccaStars · Answer

Jackson6612Apologies for what? For correcting my original text?

Oh no...

"with apologies" is a set phrase used when someone takes a bit of familiar text and corrupts it or changes it around a bit - usually as a joke or for some humor. We are acknowledging the original (unnamed) author. If the author is known, we say "with apologies to ***." It could also be a song, which is changed (words or tune) from the original.

In this case, the original poem is an old nursery rhyme. "There was a crooked man."

A-

s

Jackson6612 · Answer

AlpheccaStarsOh no... "with apologies" is a set phrase used when someone takes a bit of familiar text and corrupts it or changes it around a bit - usually as a joke or for some humor. We are acknowledging the original (unnamed) author. If the author is known, we say "with apologies to ***." It could also be a song, which is changed (words or tune) from the original.

In this case, the original poem is an old nursery rhyme. "There was a crooked man."

Hi Alphecca

s,

I would have simply used changes it a bit. Is change around a phrase?

If someone changes a text as a joke, then isn't it done for some humor? If I'm correct, which I'm sure I'm not, then isn't there a redundancy in your sentence?

Though you have okayed my original sentences but I believe there are places where certain shouldn't be used. I can't think of any example where certain shouldn't be used at the moment. Perhaps, you can help.

AlpheccaStars · Answer

Jackson6612I would have simply used changes it a bit. Is change around a phrase?

It is very informal. Perhaps "move words around" would be more accurate.

Jackson6612If someone changes a text as a joke, then isn't it done for some humor? If I'm correct, which I'm sure I'm not, then isn't there a redundancy in your sentence?

A joke is a short story that has a punch line. Humor need not have a punch line - if you know the original text and see the mangled version, that alone can be humorous.

Jackson6612I believe there are places where certain shouldn't be used. I can't think of any example where certain shouldn't be used at the moment. Perhaps, you can help.

Certain can be used with count, non-count, singular and plural nouns. There are probably good examples of misuse, but I can't think of a clear example at the moment.

Jackson6612 · Answer

AlpheccaStars Humor need not have a punch line

Would it be wrong if write: Humor need not to have a punch line?

Thank you for the help.

AlpheccaStars · Answer

Jackson6612Would it be wrong if write: Humor need not to have a punch line?

Yes, that is wrong.

The verb "need" can be a finite verb ( He needs to go now.), or an auxilliary. (He need not go right now.)
As an auxilliary, "need" is not inflected.

So I say, " A joke needs to have a punch line." (The main verb is "need", followed by the infinitive "to have")

"Humor need not have a punch line. " (The auxilliary verb is "need", and the main verb is "have") This form is used in negative and interrogative sentences.

Equivalent: "Humor does not need to have a punch line. "

Confused about the use of ''certain''

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