I almost certainly

USAGE SUMMARY

"I almost certainly" is a grammatically correct and commonly used phrase in written English.
It is often used to express a high level of certainty or confidence about something. Example: I almost certainly left my keys on the kitchen counter before leaving for work this morning.

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

25 human-written examples

I almost certainly did.

The Guardian - Opinion

From behind, I almost certainly looked like a guy.

The New York Times

I almost certainly took not a single note at that morning's lecture.

Independent

But you or I almost certainly cannot (and I have tried).

The New York Times - Magazine

Nicky was a great man, and I almost certainly owe my life to him.

The Guardian - Opinion

In fact, I almost certainly couldn't have afforded to go to university at all.

The Guardian

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

34 human-written examples

The book, subtitled "Why the Neo-Darwinian Conception of Nature Is Almost Certainly False," has also drawn appreciative notice from conservative publications that might normally disdain Mr. Nagel's liberal writings in moral and political philosophy.

The New York Times - Books

By Richard Brody July 16, 2013 The philosopher Thomas Nagel's new book, "Mind and Cosmos: Why the Materialist Neo-Darwinian Conception of Nature Is Almost Certainly False," restores the primal force of a great old philosophical word, "metaphysics".

The New Yorker

The philosopher Thomas Nagel's new book, "Mind and Cosmos: Why the Materialist Neo-Darwinian Conception of Nature Is Almost Certainly False," restores the primal force of a great old philosophical word, "metaphysics".

The New Yorker

On hearing Hazey Jane II, the album's first proper song, I felt an instant connection that I knew I would almost certainly never experience again.

The Guardian - Music

And "It Is What It Is" will almost certainly be one of the year's great love songs.

The New York Times - Arts

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "I almost certainly" to express a high degree of confidence without absolute certainty. This acknowledges a small possibility of an alternative outcome while strongly suggesting the most likely one.

Common error

Avoid using "I almost certainly" when you lack sufficient evidence or reasonable grounds for your belief. Overstating certainty can damage your credibility if the outcome proves otherwise.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "I almost certainly" functions as a hedge, modifying a statement to indicate a high degree of confidence or likelihood without asserting absolute certainty. This allows the speaker to express a strong belief while acknowledging the possibility of being incorrect, as supported by Ludwig.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

100%

Less common in

Formal & Business

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Science

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "I almost certainly" is a grammatically correct and very common phrase used to express a high degree of confidence or likelihood, as affirmed by Ludwig. It is appropriate for both formal and informal contexts, primarily appearing in news and media sources. When using this phrase, it's important to consider the context and ensure that your level of certainty aligns with the available evidence, as highlighted in the writing guidance.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

I very likely

Emphasizes likelihood but potentially slightly stronger than "almost certainly".

I most likely

Similar to "I very likely", suggesting a high probability.

I probably

Indicates a good chance, but with a bit less certainty than "almost certainly".

I'm fairly sure

Conveys confidence based on current knowledge or information.

I'm pretty sure

A more informal way to express confidence.

I'm reasonably confident

Suggests a well-founded belief in something.

I have every reason to believe

Implies that there are specific factors supporting the belief.

It is highly probable that I

A more formal and emphatic way to express a high likelihood.

I anticipate

Focuses on expectation, but can imply a strong likelihood.

Chances are high that I

Emphasizes the high probability of something occurring.

FAQs

How can I use "I almost certainly" in a sentence?

Use "I almost certainly" to express a strong likelihood or high degree of confidence about something. For example, "I almost certainly left my wallet at home."

What phrases are similar to "I almost certainly"?

You can use alternatives like "I very likely", "I most likely", or "I probably" to convey a similar meaning.

Is it better to say "I certainly" or "I almost certainly"?

"I certainly" expresses absolute certainty, while "I almost certainly" expresses a very high degree of confidence but acknowledges a slight possibility of error. Choose the phrase that accurately reflects your level of certainty.

Can "I almost certainly" be used in formal writing?

Yes, "I almost certainly" is appropriate for formal writing when you want to express a strong belief or expectation without claiming absolute certainty. It strikes a balance between confidence and acknowledging potential uncertainty.