| 词组 | certain |
| 释义 | certain 1. A large majority of the Heritage 1969 usage panel found nothing wrong with the construction "nothing is more certain...." This question is the echo of an old objection to the use of adverbs with certain on the gounds that certain is an absolute adjective. A couple of older books say this: • There are no degrees of certainty —G. M. Hyde, Handbook for Newspaper Workers, 1926 • That which is certain is sure, and therefore does not admit of comparison —Vizetelly 1922 The fact that the usage panel was unimpressed shows that the issue is dead. We have plenty of evidence of standard use: • The summer traveler is almost certain to see a mirage —American Guide Series: Texas, 1940 • ... was reasonably certain that his invention was original —M. M. Musselman, Atlantic, October 1945 • ... finds his magnetic compass a less certain guide —Lawrence Lafore, Harper's, October 1971 • ... if one were more certain that education and ability were identical —Ivar Berg, Change, September 1971 2. Cook 1985 notes that certain can be used ambiguously. All the same, the "uncertain" use of certain is one of its chief uses: • ... "average" American men, fairly good-looking, of a certain height —Joyce Carol Oates, Harper's, April 1972 • ... as a result of the acceptance of certain miracles — Times Literary Supp., 2 Apr. 1971 • New York's nightpeople of a certain age and condition indulged themselves —Judith Crist, New York, 15 Nov. 1971 The OED Supplement traces "of a certain age" back to the middle of the 18th century and notes that this use of certain was popular in euphemistic phrases, such as "in a certain condition" for pregnant and "a certain disease" for venereal disease. Euphemistic use has declined. The "specific but unspecified" notion, however, continues in vigorous use, and it is very popular in such places as annual reports: • ... problems that had been creating strains in certain areas of manufacturing —Annual Report, American Can Co., 1970 • ... remains in effect at certain locations —Annual Report, Owens-Illinois, 1970 • In addition, certain other companies were acquired —Annual Report, Borden Co., 1970 |
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