Yes, you can use printf and sprintf in WordPress too!

something.php

<?php

// Dirty, easy to miss a ' or " or .
echo '<a href="' . get_permalink() . '" class="link">' . get_the_title() . '</a>';

// Clean, easier to read
printf( '<a href="%s" class="link">%s</a>', get_permalink(), get_the_title() );

// Almost as clean, and more secure, maybe a little paranoic :)
printf( '<a href="%s" class="link">%s</a>', esc_url( get_permalink() ), esc_html( get_the_title() ) );