have a certain something

Question

She has a certain something.Is the sentence correct? I mean she is quite interesting/special. Shouldn't it be There's something about her. ???

BarbaraPA · Accepted Answer

The original is used, as is a French version - It (or she) just has a certain je ne sais quoi. People who don't know any other French besides RSVP still use that -- that's how common it is. A certain something, but I can't put my finger on what it is.

But "There's something about her" is also fine.

Dominik · Answer

Thanks! I didn't get the third sentence. "A certain something, but I can't put my finger on what it is."

So, only the French version is correct and used. She has a certain something is incorrect?

BarbaraPA · Answer

Hi Dominik,

No, all three of the examples are fine.

The original is used, as is a French version

This means that your first one is used, AND that the French version is used.

But "There's something about her" is also fine.

This means that it's also fine to use.

Please don't jump to conclusions so quickly, but read through what has been posted. I truly don't know how you could have read my post and determined that only the French one is correct.

When you can't put your finger on something, it means you know something instinctively, but you can't specifically identify it. It could be something that feels wrong to you but you don't know exactly what, or a flavor in a dish you are eating that you can't isolate, or even something you find irritating or delightful about another person.

Dominik · Answer

Thanks Barbara for putting me right.

So, I didn't get the first (as is) and the third sentence.

The original is used, as is USED a French version-> now I get it

MrPedantic · Answer

As a footnote: "a certain something" usually implies an indefinable positive quality; usually relating to charm, style, discreet erotic appeal, etc.

Dominik · Answer

That's interesting. Thank you MrPedantic

have a certain something

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