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# certain

adjective (certain); determiner (a certain, certain)

«certain» in the English dictionary: everyday and in Jewish tradition — its meanings, how the lessons use it, and examples, each with its tree on Mova.

## Everyday

1. Certain means sure, with no doubt: «I am certain». [tree →](https://mova.elamur.ai/free/en/corpora/dictionaries/school/C/certain/#m1)
2. A certain thing is one that will happen for sure. [tree →](https://mova.elamur.ai/free/en/corpora/dictionaries/school/C/certain/#m2)
3. «A certain» means a particular one that is not named: «a certain boy in our class». [tree →](https://mova.elamur.ai/free/en/corpora/dictionaries/school/C/certain/#m3)
4. «Certain» before a plural means some: «certain foods». [tree →](https://mova.elamur.ai/free/en/corpora/dictionaries/school/C/certain/#m4)

### In the lessons

In school maths: in chance problems an event that always happens (impossible, unlikely, even chance, likely, certain); also «a certain number» meaning some unknown number to find. In everyday life: «Are you certain?», «for certain». Phrases: «for certain», «make certain», «certain to», «a certain amount».

### Examples

- It is certain that the ball is red if all balls are red. [tree →](https://mova.elamur.ai/free/en/corpora/dictionaries/school/C/certain/#x1)
- A certain number plus 5 is 12. [tree →](https://mova.elamur.ai/free/en/corpora/dictionaries/school/C/certain/#x2)
- Is it certain, possible or impossible? [tree →](https://mova.elamur.ai/free/en/corpora/dictionaries/school/C/certain/#x3)
- He thinks of a certain number. [tree →](https://mova.elamur.ai/free/en/corpora/dictionaries/school/C/certain/#x4)
- It is certain that the sun will rise tomorrow. [tree →](https://mova.elamur.ai/free/en/corpora/dictionaries/school/C/certain/#x5)
- Are you certain you locked the door? [tree →](https://mova.elamur.ai/free/en/corpora/dictionaries/school/C/certain/#x6)
- Certain plants are poisonous to dogs. [tree →](https://mova.elamur.ai/free/en/corpora/dictionaries/school/C/certain/#x7)
- Rain is likely but not certain. [tree →](https://mova.elamur.ai/free/en/corpora/dictionaries/school/C/certain/#x8)
- “A schoolmate of his, a certain Pinocchio.” [tree →](https://mova.elamur.ai/free/en/corpora/dictionaries/school/C/certain/#x9)

### Note

«Certain» is a bit stronger than «sure». «Certainly» means of course. Maths: «a certain number» is the unknown to find. In chance problems it means always (probability 1). Trap: «likely» is not «certain».

## In Jewish tradition

Used as in older English to mean "a particular, unnamed" person or group. In the primary lessons: In school maths: in chance problems an event that always happens (impossible, unlikely, even chance, likely, certain); also «a certain number» meaning some unknown number to find. In everyday life: «Are you certain?», «for certain». Phrases: «for certain», «make certain», «certain to», «a certain amount».

### Examples

- And a certain man found him, and, behold, he was wandering in the field. (Torah GEN.37.15, JPS 1917) [tree →](https://mova.elamur.ai/free/en/corpora/dictionaries/judaism/C/certain/#x1)
- And Judah saw there a daughter of a certain Canaanite whose name was Shua; and he took her, and went in unto her. (Torah GEN.38.2, JPS 1917) [tree →](https://mova.elamur.ai/free/en/corpora/dictionaries/judaism/C/certain/#x2)
- And it came to pass at that time, that Judah went down from his brethren, and turned in to a certain Adullamite, whose name was Hirah. (Torah GEN.38.1, JPS 1917) [tree →](https://mova.elamur.ai/free/en/corpora/dictionaries/judaism/C/certain/#x3)
- And of the Levites, certain courses in Judah were joined to Benjamin. (Writings NEH.11.36, JPS 1917) [tree →](https://mova.elamur.ai/free/en/corpora/dictionaries/judaism/C/certain/#x4)
- Then there went certain persons, and told David how the men were served. (Writings 1CH.19.5, JPS 1917) [tree →](https://mova.elamur.ai/free/en/corpora/dictionaries/judaism/C/certain/#x5)
- Then came certain of the elders of Israel unto me, and sat before me. (Prophets EZK.14.1, JPS 1917) [tree →](https://mova.elamur.ai/free/en/corpora/dictionaries/judaism/C/certain/#x6)

### Note

«Certain» is a bit stronger than «sure». «Certainly» means of course. Maths: «a certain number» is the unknown to find. In chance problems it means always (probability 1). Trap: «likely» is not «certain».

## On Mova

- [Trees and pragmatics of «certain» in the school dictionary](https://mova.elamur.ai/free/en/corpora/dictionaries/school/C/certain/): every meaning and example parsed by Mova, with its dependency tree and frames.
- [«certain» in the school dictionary](https://mova.elamur.ai/free/en/dictionaries/school/w/certain.html) on Mova free.
- [Trees and pragmatics of «certain» in the Judaism dictionary](https://mova.elamur.ai/free/en/corpora/dictionaries/judaism/C/certain/): every meaning and example parsed by Mova, with its dependency tree and frames.
- [«certain» in the Judaism dictionary](https://mova.elamur.ai/free/en/dictionaries/judaism/w/certain.html) on Mova free.