Used and loved by millions

Since I tried Ludwig back in 2017, I have been constantly using it in both editing and translation. Ever since, I suggest it to my translators at ProSciEditing.

Justyna Jupowicz-Kozak

CEO of Professional Science Editing for Scientists @ prosciediting.com

I'm virtually certain
Grammar usage guide and real-world examples

Alternative expressions(8)

I am convinced

nearly certain

all but certain

highly confident

I am almost positive

I am reasonably sure

It is highly probable

I almost definitely

Table of contents

Usage summary

Human-verified examples

Expert writing tips

Linguistic context

Ludwig's wrap-up

Alternative expressions

FAQs

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

9 human-written examples

Actually, I'm virtually certain I wasn't the first.

News & Media

The New York Times - Science

I'm virtually certain that was not optimal policy.

News & Media

The Washington Post

I'm virtually certain it will be gone extremely soon".

News & Media

The New York Times

"I'm virtually certain we'll oppose any request for a stay,' said the lawyer, Lance Olson.

News & Media

The New York Times

"I'm virtually certain that I'm going to be laid off," she said.

News & Media

The New York Times

But I've also met companies I'm virtually certain will become new business partners and individuals who will become members of our team.

News & Media

Forbes

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

51 human-written examples

"We are coming out of this one, I am virtually certain," Mr. Buffett said.

News & Media

The New York Times

Having worked to identify all of them, I was virtually certain that Chun is "Practitioner #9". Three others have already been sentenced to prison time; Chun has not been charged with any crime.

News & Media

The New York Times - Magazine

In fact, I am virtually certain that current low tax rates are a disincentive to economic growth and risk taking.

News & Media

Forbes

"I think it's virtually certain that some or all of those laws will wind up before the Supreme Court," legal writer Jeffrey Toobin said.

News & Media

Forbes

"I wouldn't say it's virtually certain, but I'd give it 80 percent or 90 percent," said John Spencer, a planetary scientist at the Southwest Research Institute, a member of Cassini's composite infrared spectrometer team.

News & Media

The New York Times - Science

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

In formal writing, consider using the non-contracted version I am virtually certain for a more authoritative tone.

Common error

Do not use "I'm virtually certain" when referring to undeniable mathematical or logical facts. For instance, saying I am virtually certain that two plus two equals four sounds strange because the certainty should be absolute, not approximate. Reserve this phrase for predictions, identifications, or interpretations of evidence.

Antonio Rotolo, PhD

Digital Humanist | Computational Linguist | CEO @Ludwig.guru

Source & Trust

96%

Authority and reliability

4.9/5

Expert rating

Real-world application tested

Linguistic Context

The phrase "I'm virtually certain" serves as a subjective epistemic stance marker. It communicates the speaker's degree of belief in the proposition that follows. As noted in examples from Ludwig, it is frequently used to introduce a subordinate clause (often starting with that) which contains the core claim.

Expression frequency: Common

Frequent in

News & Media

65%

Academia

15%

Formal & Business

12%

Less common in

Social Media

Science

Wiki

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "I'm virtually certain" is a robust and widely accepted phrase for expressing a high level of confidence without claiming absolute truth. Ludwig AI reveals that it is a staple of high-quality journalism and expert analysis, appearing in thousands of instances across top-tier publications. It functions as a bridge between mere probability and total certainty, making it an essential tool for writers who need to appear both confident and precise. Whether used in an opinion piece or a business meeting, it signals that the speaker has evaluated the available evidence and reached a near-definitive conclusion.

More alternative expressions(10)

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

I am all but certain

Uses an idiomatic construction to suggest that certainty is the only outcome remaining.

I am nearly certain

Replaces the adverb virtually with nearly, which is slightly more common in everyday speech.

I am practically certain

Similar to virtually but often perceived as slightly more colloquial.

I have little doubt

Shifts the focus from a state of being to a lack of uncertainty using a noun-based structure.

I am almost positive

Uses more informal language while maintaining a high level of confidence.

I am convinced

A simpler, more direct way to express a settled belief without using adverbs of degree.

I am effectively certain

Implies that for all practical purposes, the speaker is sure, even if absolute proof is missing.

I am reasonably sure

Expresses a slightly lower degree of confidence, acknowledging a small margin of error.

It is highly probable

Shifts from a personal first-person assertion to an objective, impersonal observation.

I feel quite confident

Softens the assertion by framing it as a personal feeling rather than a fact.

FAQs

How do I use "I'm virtually certain" in a sentence?

You can use it to introduce a belief about a future event or a past identification, such as in the sentence, ""I'm virtually certain" that the project will be finished by Friday."

What is the difference between "I'm virtually certain" and "I'm absolutely sure"?

While "I'm absolutely sure" suggests zero doubt, "I'm virtually certain" acknowledges a tiny, theoretical margin of error, making it a safer choice in professional or scientific contexts.

Is "I'm virtually certain" formal enough for business?

Yes, it is very common in professional settings. If you want to increase the level of formality further, you might say "I am convinced" or simply use the full form I am virtually certain.

What can I say instead of "I'm virtually certain"?

Depending on the context, you can use alternatives like "nearly certain", "all but certain", or "highly confident".

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Table of contents

Usage summary

Human-verified examples

Expert writing tips

Linguistic context

Ludwig's wrap-up

Alternative expressions

FAQs

Source & Trust

96%

Authority and reliability

4.9/5

Expert rating

Real-world application tested

Most frequent sentences:

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I'm virtually certainGrammar usage guide and real-world examples

I'm virtually certain
Grammar usage guide and real-world examples