Sure

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "Sure" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used as an informal agreement or affirmation in response to a request or question. Example: "Can you help me with this project?" "Sure, I'd be happy to assist you."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Sport

Opinion

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

Are you sure?

The Guardian - Lifestyle

The EU may be getting the booby prize for peace because it sure hasn't created prosperity.

The Guardian

I have no ideas and I'm not sure where to begin".

The Guardian

"I am not sure".

The New York Times - Science

I am not so sure.

The Guardian - Opinion

No one can say for sure.

The New York Times

"The Commission needs to make sure that consumers continue to have access to a wide variety of music in different physical and digital formats at competitive conditions".

The New York Times

Whether the Earth was created in 7 days, or 7 actual eras, I'm not sure we'll ever be able to answer that.

The New York Times

He was not sure.

The New York Times

"I'm not so sure.

The New York Times - Magazine

I'm not sure how long it will take for me to get over this.

The Guardian - Sport

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Consider the context; while "Sure" is generally acceptable, more formal situations might call for alternatives like "Certainly" or "Absolutely".

Common error

Avoid relying heavily on "Sure" in professional or academic writing. Opt for more sophisticated vocabulary to maintain a polished and credible tone.

Linguistic Context

The word "Sure" functions as an interjection to express agreement or affirmation, as an adjective to indicate certainty, and as an adverb to emphasize a statement. Ludwig provides various examples demonstrating its flexibility in communication.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

36%

Sport

13%

Opinion

8%

Less common in

Lifestyle

5%

Tech

2%

Travel

1%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

"Sure" is a versatile term frequently used to express agreement, affirmation, or certainty. As Ludwig AI confirms, it functions as an interjection, adjective, and adverb. While generally acceptable, its informality suggests using more refined alternatives in formal settings. With its high usage in news, sports, and opinion pieces, remember to balance its casual tone with the context of your writing for effective communication.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

Certainly

Emphasizes a strong affirmation or agreement.

Absolutely

Indicates complete agreement or affirmation.

Of course

Implies that something is obvious or naturally follows.

Definitely

Expresses a firm and confident affirmation.

Indeed

Confirms something already stated or implied.

Without a doubt

Indicates certainty and conviction.

Yes, of course

Combines affirmation with an expression of obviousness.

By all means

Gives enthusiastic permission or agreement.

No problem

Indicates willingness to help or comply.

You bet

An informal way of saying "yes" or "certainly".

FAQs

How can I use "Sure" in a sentence?

"Sure" can be used as an interjection to indicate agreement (e.g., "Can you help me?" "Sure, I can."), as an adverb to mean certainly (e.g., "I "sure did"!"), or as an adjective meaning certain (e.g., "That's a "sure thing"").

What can I say instead of "Sure"?

Alternatives to "Sure" include "certainly", "absolutely", "of course", "definitely", or "yes", depending on the specific context and desired level of formality.

When is it appropriate to use "Sure"?

"Sure" is suitable for informal conversations and casual writing. It's best used when you want to express agreement or affirmation in a relaxed and friendly manner. Avoid using it in formal documents or professional communications where a more polished tone is expected.

What is the difference between "Sure" and "Surely"?

"Sure" can function as an interjection, adjective, or adverb, while "surely" is exclusively an adverb. "Surely" is often used to express that something is certain or to ask a question with a sense of surprise or disbelief (e.g., "Surely, you're not serious?").