I felt sure

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "I felt sure" is correct and usable in written English.
You can use it when expressing a strong belief or confidence in something that you thought or felt in the past. Example: "After reviewing the evidence, I felt sure that we would win the case."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

58 human-written examples

I felt sure that he'd want to do that.

The New Yorker

"I felt sure the Iranian people would vote for him if they saw this".

The New Yorker

I felt sure that [the researchers] would find something unusual in her writing," he said.

Independent

"I felt sure I was watching her die right in front of me," he said.

Independent

OF all the places I felt sure I'd never go, Planned Parenthood topped the list.

The New York Times

When she said this, I felt sure it was because she'd wanted to check my background.

The New Yorker

"There were so many bombs being dropped on us, I felt sure we would all die.

The Guardian

I felt sure, after my own experience, that there was something in it".

The Guardian - Books

I felt sure my sense of smell was tied to my emotions.

The Guardian - Lifestyle

I felt sure that her stoicism and mental strength would see her through.

The Guardian - Books

I felt sure that it needed to be severed — that's always the first thing that happens in the movies.

The New Yorker

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "I felt sure", ensure it aligns with the overall tone and context of your writing. If formality is needed, consider more precise expressions like "I was certain".

Common error

Avoid using "I felt sure" to express current certainty. This phrase is specifically for past feelings. Use "I am sure" or "I feel sure" to convey present confidence.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "I felt sure" functions as a declarative statement expressing a past feeling of confidence or certainty. Ludwig AI confirms this through numerous examples where the phrase is used to convey a strong belief the speaker held at a particular time.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

98%

Science

1%

Formal & Business

1%

Less common in

Academia

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Wiki

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "I felt sure" is a grammatically sound and frequently used phrase for expressing past confidence or certainty. Ludwig AI analysis reveals its common occurrence in news and media, alongside its neutral register making it suitable for diverse communication contexts. Related phrases include "I was certain" and "I was convinced", offering nuanced alternatives. Remember to use "I felt sure" for past feelings, and use "I feel sure" for present ones.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

I was certain

Implies a strong conviction, potentially stronger than "felt sure".

I was convinced

Suggests a belief formed after some persuasion or evidence.

I was confident

Indicates assurance in one's judgment or ability.

I believed firmly

Highlights the strength of the belief.

I had no doubt

Emphasizes the absence of uncertainty.

I fully expected

Focuses on anticipation of an event with confidence.

I anticipated confidently

Highlights the confident expectation of a future event.

It was my firm belief

Highlights the subjective and firm nature of the belief.

I had every expectation

Suggests a justified reason for the expectation.

I presumed confidently

Highlights the presumption, adding slight potential for error.

FAQs

How can I use "I felt sure" in a sentence?

Use "I felt sure" to express a past feeling of confidence or certainty about something. For instance, "I reviewed the data and "I felt sure" we would succeed."

What's a good alternative to "I felt sure"?

Alternatives include "I was certain", "I was convinced", or "I was confident", depending on the context and the nuance you want to convey.

Is it correct to say "I feel sure" instead of "I felt sure"?

"I feel sure" expresses a current feeling of certainty, while "I felt sure" expresses a past feeling. The correct choice depends on when the feeling occurred.

How does "I felt sure" differ from "I thought"?

"I thought" indicates a general belief, whereas ""I felt sure"" expresses a strong sense of certainty or confidence.