For example, what would be more appropriate to use and why:
'This guy has a certain list of skills' or
'This guy has a specific list of skills'
I'd appreciate any other examples that would be helpful in understanding the difference between the two.
Thank you
Best Answer
This guy has certain skills.
The speaker has only seen partial evidence of the guy's skills; he may or may not be aware of all of them, or their overall quality. He is certain the guy has skills; it's what they all are that he's not too sure about.
This guy has specific skills.
The speaker is only referring to those skills he's aware of; he's absolutely certain the guy has them. He can specify them.