I surely think

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "I surely think" is not commonly used in written English and may sound awkward to some readers.
It can be used when expressing a strong belief or opinion, but it is more natural to use "I certainly think" instead. Example: "I surely think that we should reconsider our approach to the project."

News & Media

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

2 human-written examples

"I surely think it will help us with Hispanic voters".

The New York Times

I surely think we can but it would require us asking questions that move beyond loving our fake-lesbian daughters.

Huffington Post

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

55 human-written examples

I surely thought by now his parents had this conversation with him.

Huffington Post

Riegels once joked "If I had to do it again, I'd still run in the same direction, for I surely thought I was going the right way".

Wikipedia

Also, when I saw this episode was entitled "Woods," I surely thought it was gonna be about Backwoods.

Huffington Post

One Upper East Side resident, Nira Firestone, wrote in with her contribution of $20, "I could surely think of a million things to buy with $20".

The New York Times

Surely, thought I naively, my GP has a duty to see that other bits of the NHS don't mistreat me.

The Guardian

Is he The One? His accountant surely thinks so.

Forbes

Mr. Ghesquière surely thinks so.

The New York Times

The Nets surely thought so.

The New York Times - Sports

Smythe surely thinks so.

TechCrunch

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Consider replacing "I surely think" with alternatives like "I certainly think" or "I definitely think" for a more natural and impactful tone in your writing.

Common error

Avoid using "surely" too frequently, as it can make your writing sound repetitive or unnatural. Vary your language by using different adverbs or expressions of certainty.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "I surely think" primarily functions as a declarative statement, expressing a personal opinion or belief with a degree of certainty. Ludwig AI indicates that this phrase, while grammatically sound, may come across as somewhat atypical in contemporary English.

Expression frequency: Rare

Frequent in

News & Media

100%

Less common in

Science

0%

Formal & Business

0%

Wiki

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "I surely think" is grammatically acceptable for expressing a strong belief or opinion, but it's not as commonly used as alternatives like "I certainly think" or "I definitely think". Ludwig AI's analysis suggests that while understandable, it may sound less natural to contemporary English speakers. Predominantly found in news and media contexts, consider using more common alternatives for clearer and more impactful communication. While grammatically sound, varying your phrase choice can enhance the flow and credibility of your writing.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

I certainly think

Replaces "surely" with "certainly", offering a more common and emphatic way to express agreement.

I definitely think

Substitutes "surely" with "definitely", indicating a strong and clear opinion.

I strongly believe

Replaces the entire phrase with a more formal expression of belief.

I truly believe

Uses "truly believe" to emphasize the sincerity of the belief.

I really think

Employs "really" to modify "think", indicating a genuine thought or opinion.

I honestly think

Adds "honestly" to underscore the sincerity of the opinion.

I am convinced that

Replaces the entire phrase with a more assertive expression of conviction.

It is my firm belief

Offers a more formal and emphatic way to express a strong belief.

I am of the opinion that

Presents a more formal and considered expression of opinion.

I feel strongly that

Uses "feel strongly" to express a belief with emotional intensity.

FAQs

What does "I surely think" mean?

The phrase "I surely think" expresses a strong belief or opinion. However, it's less common in contemporary English than alternatives like "I certainly think" or "I definitely think".

Is "I surely think" grammatically correct?

Yes, "I surely think" is grammatically correct, but it's considered less idiomatic and may sound slightly awkward to native English speakers.

What can I say instead of "I surely think"?

You can use alternatives like "I certainly think", "I definitely think", or "I strongly believe" depending on the context.

Which is correct, "I surely think" or "I certainly think"?

Both phrases are grammatically correct, but "I certainly think" is generally preferred as it's more common and natural-sounding.