It is almost certain

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "It is almost certain" is correct and usable in written English.
You can use it to express a high degree of confidence about a particular outcome or situation. Example: "Given the evidence presented, it is almost certain that the project will be completed on time."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Academia

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

It is almost certain to downgrade its forecasts for economic growth.

BBC

It is almost certain to become law.

The New York Times

It is almost certain that Hollywood will fail that test.

The Economist

It is almost certain that the UK really will exit.

The Guardian

It is almost certain that Wani will be killed.

The Guardian

It is almost certain that we will not discuss every paper.

Yale University

It is almost certain that some people walk back and forth across the imaginary line.

The New York Times

It is almost certain that the country is working with highly enriched uranium (HEU) technology.

The Economist

It is almost certain to pass and be sent to the Senate.

The New York Times

It is almost certain that La Niña is behind the Queensland floods.

Independent

It is almost certain that the cut will be eight-over.

The New York Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "It is almost certain" in formal writing, ensure the claim is supported by credible evidence to maintain authority and trust.

Common error

Avoid using "It is almost certain" when the evidence is weak or speculative. Overstating confidence can undermine your credibility if the outcome proves otherwise.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "It is almost certain" functions as a modal expression, indicating a high degree of probability or confidence regarding a particular outcome. This is supported by Ludwig AI, which identifies its consistent usage across diverse sources.

Expression frequency: Common

Frequent in

News & Media

68%

Science

16%

Academia

8%

Less common in

Wiki

8%

Formal & Business

0%

Social Media

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "It is almost certain" is a versatile phrase used to express a high degree of confidence without absolute certainty. As Ludwig AI confirms, it is grammatically sound and appears frequently in diverse contexts, particularly in News & Media, Science, and Academia. When using this phrase, ensure that your claims are supported by evidence and avoid overstating certainty without justification. Alternatives like "it is highly probable" or "it is very likely" can provide similar levels of assurance with subtle differences in emphasis.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

It is highly probable

Emphasizes the high likelihood of something occurring.

It is very likely

Indicates a strong chance of something happening.

It is practically guaranteed

Suggests near certainty, implying very little room for doubt.

It is all but certain

Implies that the outcome is already decided or inevitable.

It is nearly definite

Highlights the almost complete definiteness of an event.

It is almost inevitable

Suggests that the outcome is unavoidable, despite any resistance.

Chances are high that

More conversational, indicating a strong possibility.

It is safe to say

Emphasizes the speaker's confidence in the statement's validity.

One can safely assume

Suggests a conclusion that is very likely true based on current knowledge.

It's a foregone conclusion

This idiom suggests the result is predetermined and unavoidable.

FAQs

How to use "It is almost certain" in a sentence?

You can use "It is almost certain" to express a high degree of confidence about a future event or current situation. For example, "Given the current trends, it is almost certain that the company will exceed its sales targets this quarter."

What can I say instead of "It is almost certain"?

You can use alternatives like "it is highly probable", "it is very likely", or "it is practically guaranteed" depending on the context and the level of certainty you wish to convey.

Is it correct to say "It is almost certainly"?

Yes, "it is almost certainly" is grammatically correct and conveys a similar meaning to "it is almost certain". The difference is that "almost certainly" is an adverbial phrase modifying the verb, while "almost certain" functions as an adjective phrase describing the situation.

What's the difference between "It is almost certain" and "It is certain"?

"It is almost certain" implies a very high probability but leaves room for slight doubt. "It is certain", on the other hand, suggests absolute certainty, leaving no room for error or unexpected outcomes.