Certain states vs Certain state

Both phrases are correct, but they are used in different contexts. 'Certain states' is used when referring to multiple specific states, while 'certain state' is used when referring to a single specific state.

Last updated: March 29, 2024 • 1436 views

This phrase is correct and commonly used when referring to multiple specific states.

"Certain states"

Use 'certain states' when you want to talk about particular states without specifying the exact number or names.

Examples:

Certain states have implemented stricter gun control laws.
The policy varies in certain states.

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Certain states such as Israel have for many years now had armed personnel on their national airline's flights, and I am not aware of any such accidents occurring to date.
Certain States may use both methods (self-monitoring): specify
Certain States that persecute dissidents are considered to be great democracies.
The Convention could not be adopted by consensus because certain states opposed the final text.
Increasing our capacities with regard to protecting external borders means more European Union investment in this sector, which will perhaps allow for greater facilities in certain States.
These are zebra fish that have been genetically engineered to be yellow, green, red, and they are actually available now in certain states.
Then it was a European problem for certain States.
We would send the wrong signals by only selecting certain states.
This right exists in certain States; it does not exist in others.
You know, in certain states, there are laws requiring that you help someone in trouble.
But due to strong opposition from certain States, we have been unable to make much progress in this field.
Developments in international law entailing changes in the status or designation of certain States or entities should be reflected in the Annexes to Regulation (EC) No 539/2001.
I would find it unacceptable if certain States, under false pretexts and motivated by internal political calculation, continued to oppose it.
Thinking of culture as a strategic element of foreign policy would, in fact, enable Europe to make up the deficit with regard to certain states.
On an EU scale, the attitude of certain states is becoming a particular problem.
This is not particularly surprising, as certain states within India have passed legislation banning Hindus from converting to other faiths.
Support for enlargement is low in the Member States, particularly with regard to certain States.
Such a state of affairs should be avoided where possible and certain states, which blatantly violate human rights, should not feel more equal than others.
On 16 January 2004, the European Commission launched infringement proceedings against certain states, including Italy, in respect of national legislation governing free book lending in libraries and other public establishments.
A cross-border merger would only be possible in certain States subject to the completion of a number of requirements

Alternatives:

specific states
particular states
some states
various states
particular regions

This phrase is correct and commonly used when referring to a single specific state.

"Certain state"

Use 'certain state' when you want to talk about a particular state without specifying the exact name.

Examples:

A certain state in the Midwest has a large agricultural industry.
The law varies in a certain state.

Show examples from the web [+]

A man has to be in a certain state of... mind before he can do such a thing.
A court of a Member State could invoke this clause if it considers that the application of the law of a certain State is against its public policy.
Politicians are called upon to rectify the situation as quickly as possible or, even better, to prevent a certain state of affairs from arising in the first place.
My job requires a certain state of mind.
My job requires a certain state of mind.
on the prolongation of certain State aid decisions
However, the Authority may exempt certain State aid from this prohibition.
Don and Glenn had gotten it to a certain state, and I came up with some stuff for the bridge and tweaked what already existed.
Having said that, this report and the regulation acknowledge that certain state aids are acceptable and indeed desirable in relation to employment schemes.
An economic approach is an instrument to better focus and target certain State aid towards the objectives of the re-launched Lisbon Strategy.
On 30 April 2004, the European Commission published a Communication concerning the obsolescence of certain State aid policy documents, which it no longer intends to apply [6].
From the information available to the Commission it appears that at least certain state institutions (e.g. the Social Insurance Company) did try to enforce receivables under the bankruptcy proceedings.
Commission Communication of 30 April 2004 concerning the obsolescence of certain State aid policy documents (OJ C 115, 30.4.2004, p. 1) does not list the Commission Notice on the method for setting the reference and discount rates.
Commission Decision of 20 June 2008 on the prolongation of certain State aid decisions (notified under document number C(2008) 2883)
By reference to the cases Stardust Marine and Pearle and others, they maintain that in itself, the fact that LfM is a public authority under a certain State control does not mean that the measure is imputable to the State.
The Guidelines determine the conditions under which Member States are allowed to set up certain State aid schemes to support their maritime transport industry in the pursuit of general objectives, such as:
The Commission's 'Notice from the Commission on the application of the competition rules to the postal sector and on the assessment of certain State measures relating to postal services' (98/C 39/02) is rather out of date.

Alternatives:

specific state
particular state
one state
a specific state
a particular state

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Certain states vs Certain state

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