Specific vs. Certain — What's the Difference?
Edited by Tayyaba Rehman — By Fiza Rafique — Updated on May 1, 2024
"Specific" refers to clearly defined or identified elements, whereas "certain" indicates a sense of surety or inevitability without always being explicit.
Difference Between Specific and Certain
Table of Contents
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Key Differences
"Specific" is used to denote explicitness and particularity in description or classification, focusing on distinctiveness, while "certain" is often used to express confidence or affirmation about something, generally without detailed information.
In conversation, when someone uses "specific," they are expected to provide detailed information or examples, such as specifying a specific time for a meeting, whereas using "certain" might imply knowledge or acceptance of facts without needing further details, such as being certain of a decision.
"Specific" can also highlight precision in instructions or expectations, such as in a recipe or a scientific procedure, on the other hand, "certain" might be used more subjectively to describe feelings or beliefs, such as feeling certain about one's feelings.
In legal or technical contexts, "specific" carries the weight of exactitude and can affect outcomes based on precision, whereas "certain" might refer more to the likelihood or inevitability, such as certain conditions being met.
The usage of "specific" often requires subsequent specific information, making it critical in contexts where precision is necessary, while "certain" can stand alone as a statement of assurance or inevitability without further elaboration.
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Comparison Chart
Definition
Clearly defined or identified; particular.
Sure; convinced or confident.
Usage in Speech
Requires detail or clarification following it.
Can be used without additional detail.
Implication
Precision and detail-oriented.
Assurance or inevitability.
Contexts
Scientific, legal, instructional.
Personal beliefs, general statements.
Example Phrase
"Be specific about your needs."
"I am certain of my choice."
Compare with Definitions
Specific
Distinct from others.
The plan addresses specific concerns that arose last quarter.
Certain
Some but not all.
Certain individuals may be more susceptible to this condition.
Specific
Intended to apply to a particular thing.
She has a specific goal in mind for her career.
Certain
Known for sure; established beyond doubt.
It is certain that he will attend the meeting.
Specific
Precise or particular.
The instructions must be followed in a specific order.
Certain
Not specified but fixed.
Certain rules must be followed.
Specific
Clearly defined or identified.
Please provide a specific example to illustrate your point.
Certain
Confident in one's opinion.
She was certain that the solution would work.
Specific
Exact or detailed.
The recipe called for a specific brand of ingredients.
Certain
Unable to be avoided; inevitable.
Change is a certain aspect of life.
Specific
Clearly defined or identified
Savings were made by increasing the electricity supply only until it met specific development needs
Certain
Definite; fixed
Set aside a certain sum each week.
Specific
Relating to species or a species
The differences between them can only be on the specific level
Certain
Sure to come or happen; inevitable
Certain success.
Specific
(of a duty or a tax) levied at a fixed rate per physical unit of the thing taxed, regardless of its price.
Certain
Established beyond doubt or question; indisputable
What is certain is that every effect must have a cause.
Specific
Of or denoting a number equal to the ratio of the value of some property of a given substance to the value of the same property of some other substance used as a reference, such as water, or of a vacuum, under equivalent conditions
Specific dielectric strength
Certain
Capable of being relied on; dependable
A quick and certain remedy.
Specific
A medicine or remedy effective in treating a particular disease or part of the body
He grasped at the idea as though she had offered him a specific for cancer
Certain
Having or showing confidence; assured
I'm certain I left my keys in this room.
Specific
A precise detail
I wish I'd put more thought into the specifics
Certain
Not specified or identified but assumed to be known
Felt that certain breeds did not make good pets.
Specific
Explicitly set forth; definite
Wrote specific instructions.
Certain
Named but not known or previously mentioned
A certain Ms. Johnson.
Specific
Clear or detailed in communicating
Be specific when telling us what you need.
Certain
Perceptible; noticeable
A certain charm.
A certain air of mystery.
Specific
Limited, distinctive, or unique
Problems specific to small colleges.
Certain
Not great; calculable
To a certain degree.
A certain delay in the schedule.
Specific
Intended for, applying to, or acting on a particular thing
A specific remedy for warts.
Certain
Sure, positive, not doubting.
I was certain of my decision.
Spain is now certain of a place in the finals.
Specific
Concerned particularly with the subject specified. Often used in combination
"age-specific voting patterns" (A. Dianne Schmidley).
Certain
(obsolete) Determined; resolved.
Specific
Relating to, characterizing, or distinguishing a species
A specific name.
Certain
Not to be doubted or denied; established as a fact.
Specific
Designating a disease produced by a particular microorganism or condition.
Certain
Actually existing; sure to happen; inevitable.
Bankruptcy is the certain outcome of your constant gambling and lending.
Specific
Having a remedial influence or effect on a particular disease.
Certain
Unfailing; infallible.
Specific
(Immunology) Having an affinity limited to a particular antibody or antigen.
Certain
Fixed or stated; regular; determinate.
Specific
Designating a customs charge levied on merchandise by unit or weight rather than according to value.
Certain
Known but not specifically named; indeterminate; indefinite; one or some; sometimes used independently as a noun, and meaning certain persons; see also "one".
Specific
Designating a commodity rate applicable to the transportation of a single commodity between named points.
Certain
Having been determined but not specified.
Certain people are good at running.
Specific
Something particularly fitted to a use or purpose.
Certain
(with of) Unnamed or undescribed members (of).
She mentioned a series of contracts, of which certain are not cited.
Specific
A remedy intended for a particular ailment or disorder.
Certain
Assured in mind; having no doubts; free from suspicions concerning.
To make her certain of the sad event.
I myself am certain of you.
Specific
A distinguishing quality or attribute.
Certain
Determined; resolved; - used with an infinitive.
However, I with thee have fixed my lot,Certain to undergo like doom.
Specific
Specifics Distinct items or details; particulars.
Certain
Not to be doubted or denied; established as a fact.
The dream is certain, and the interpretation thereof sure.
Specific
Explicit or definite.
Certain
Actually existing; sure to happen; inevitable.
Virtue that directs our waysThrough certain dangers to uncertain praise.
Death, as the Psalmist saith, is certain to all.
Specific
Pertaining to a species, as a taxon or taxa at the rank of species.
Certain
Unfailing; infallible.
I have often wished that I knew as certain a remedy for any other distemper.
Specific
Special, distinctive or unique.
Certain
Fixed or stated; regular; determinate.
The people go out and gather a certain rate every day.
Specific
Intended for, or applying to, a particular thing.
Certain
Not specifically named; indeterminate; indefinite; one or some; - sometimes used independenty as a noun, and meaning certain persons.
It came to pass when he was in a certain city.
About everything he wrote there was a certain natural grace und decorum.
Specific
Serving to identify a particular thing (often a disease or condition), with little risk of mistaking something else for it.
A highly specific test, specific and nonspecific symptoms
Certain
Certainty.
Specific
Being a remedy for a particular disease on a deeper level, rather than just masking the symptoms
Quinine is a specific medicine in cases of malaria.
Any improvement in secondary sciatica is probably due to the analgesic action of the sodium salicylate, but in primary sciatica, in all likelihood “rheumatic,” the effect of the sodium salicylate appears to be specific rather than symptomatic.
Certain
A certain number or quantity.
Specific
(immunology) limited to a particular antibody or antigen.
Certain
Certainly.
Specific
(physics) of a value divided by mass (e.g. specific orbital energy)
Certain
Definite but not specified or identified;
Set aside a certain sum each week
To a certain degree
Certain breeds do not make good pets
Certain members have not paid their dues
A certain popular teacher
A certain Mrs. Jones
Specific
(physics) similarly referring to a value divided by any measure which acts to standardize it (e.g. thrust specific fuel consumption, referring to fuel consumption divided by thrust)
Certain
Having or feeling no doubt or uncertainty; confident and assured;
Felt certain of success
Was sure (or certain) she had seen it
Was very sure in his beliefs
Sure of her friends
Specific
(physics) a measure compared with a standard reference value by division, to produce a ratio without unit or dimension (e.g. specific refractive index is a pure number, and is relative to that of air)
Certain
Established beyond doubt or question; definitely known;
What is certain is that every effect must have a cause
It is certain that they were on the bus
His fate is certain
The date for the invasion is certain
Specific
A distinguishing attribute or quality.
Certain
Certain to occur; destined or inevitable;
He was certain to fail
His fate is certain
In this life nothing is certain but death and taxes
He faced certain death
Sudden but sure regret
He is sure to win
Specific
A remedy for a specific disease or condition.
Certain
Established irrevocably;
His fate is sealed
Specific
Specification
Certain
Capable of being depended on;
A quick and certain remedy
A sure way to distinguish the two
Wood dust is a sure sign of termites
Specific
(in the plural) The details; particulars.
Certain
Exercising or taking care great enough to bring assurance;
Be certain to disconnect the iron when you are through
Be sure to lock the doors
Specific
Of or pertaining to a species; characterizing or constituting a species; possessing the peculiar property or properties of a thing which constitute its species, and distinguish it from other things; as, the specific form of an animal or a plant; the specific qualities of a drug; the specific distinction between virtue and vice.
Specific difference is that primary attribute which distinguishes each species from one another.
Specific
Specifying; definite, or making definite; limited; precise; discriminating; as, a specific statement.
Specific
Exerting a peculiar influence over any part of the body; preventing or curing disease by a peculiar adaptation, and not on general principles; as, quinine is a specific medicine in cases of malaria.
In fact, all medicines will be found specific in the perfection of the science.
Specific
Anything having peculiar adaption to the purpose to which it is applied.
Specific
A fact about some part (as opposed to general);
He always reasons from the particular to the general
Specific
A medicine that has a mitigating effect on a specific disease;
Quinine is a specific for malaria
Specific
(sometimes followed by `to') applying to or characterized by or distinguishing something particular or special or unique;
Rules with specific application
Demands specific to the job
A specific and detailed account of the accident
Nonspecific enteritis
Specific
Stated explicitly or in detail;
Needed a specific amount
Specific
Relating to or distinguishing or constituting a taxonomic species;
Specific characters
Specific
Being or affecting a disease produced by a particular microorganism or condition; used also of stains or dyes used in making microscope slides;
Quinine is highly specific for malaria
A specific remedy
A specific stain is one having a specific affinity for particular structural elements
Common Curiosities
What does "specific" mean in a technical context?
In technical contexts, "specific" means precisely defined or strictly detailed.
Can "specific" and "certain" be used interchangeably?
While both can be used to imply clarity, "specific" is more about precision in detail, and "certain" about the surety of a statement.
How does "certain" express confidence?
"Certain" is used to express strong belief or assurance that something is true or will happen.
Is there a situation where "certain" could imply uncertainty?
No, "certain" typically conveys assurance and confidence, not uncertainty. However, phrases like "certain about" can suggest a need for confirmation when posed as a question.
What is the difference in connotation between "specific" and "certain" in scientific writing?
In scientific writing, "specific" is used to describe precise measurements, conditions, or effects, while "certain" is used to express well-supported conclusions or inevitabilities within the scientific evidence.
How do "specific" and "certain" function differently in academic writing?
"Specific" is used to pinpoint particular case studies, theories, or data, enhancing clarity and detail, whereas "certain" often precedes broader, well-accepted facts or conclusions in academic arguments.
Why is being specific important in communication?
Being specific helps in avoiding misunderstandings and ensures that all parties have a clear understanding of the discussion.
What are the implications of using "certain" in legal documents?
In legal documents, "certain" implies that something is fixed or decided without ambiguity.
How does the use of "specific" affect legal language?
In legal language, using "specific" can delineate obligations, rights, or properties explicitly, impacting legal interpretations and enforcement.
Can "certain" be used to indicate a subset in a group?
Yes, "certain" can be used to refer to an unspecified but identifiable subset within a group, such as "certain people may experience symptoms."
In what context would you use "specific" instead of "certain"?
Use "specific" when detail and precision are needed, such as outlining exact requirements or identifying particular items.
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Fiza RafiqueFiza Rafique is a skilled content writer at AskDifference.com, where she meticulously refines and enhances written pieces. Drawing from her vast editorial expertise, Fiza ensures clarity, accuracy, and precision in every article. Passionate about language, she continually seeks to elevate the quality of content for readers worldwide.
Edited by
Tayyaba RehmanTayyaba Rehman is a distinguished writer, currently serving as a primary contributor to askdifference.com. As a researcher in semantics and etymology, Tayyaba's passion for the complexity of languages and their distinctions has found a perfect home on the platform. Tayyaba delves into the intricacies of language, distinguishing between commonly confused words and phrases, thereby providing clarity for readers worldwide.
