a certain certainty

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "a certain certainty" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to express a specific level of confidence or assurance about something. Example: "Despite the challenges ahead, there is a certain certainty that we will succeed in our mission."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

2 human-written examples

'I see life as being a movement in you that has a certain certainty, but you can't hang on.

The Guardian - Film

This allows a trader to control, with a certain certainty, how much he or she is willing to lose on a trade.

Forbes

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

58 human-written examples

For each single color ring, we also noted down whether we considered the color detection certain (certainty was often based on repeated readings).

Behavioral Ecology and Sociobiology

The Bachelorette is returning to TV starting Monday night at 8 PM EST, bringing with it certain certainties.

Vice

Has he in fact gained the gift of certain certainties, I ask, as we walk out the exhibition on the day before it opens to the public.

Vice

To correct for this, statisticians lower the confidence interval--which says with a certain degree of certainty, or "p value," that the result is not due to chance.

Science Magazine

Basically, if it passes a certain level of certainty that this is probably you but can't get a match, and then you enter a passcode — it will add that data to your face profile, improving matches in the future.

TechCrunch

This information could be a bit of careless boasting but it does suggest a certain level of certainty in the market and reinforces rumors of a June iPhone 5S release.

TechCrunch

McGrew (1995, 1999) argues that a certain kind of certainty or infallibility (in his terms, "incorrigibility") is a necessary feature of empirical foundational beliefs: a belief that P is empirically foundational only if being justified in believing that P guarantees its truth.

SEP

I can say with a certain amount of certainty that Jesus would not run up credit cards that he wasn't able to pay off, so let's not do that.

Huffington Post

We can with a certain level of certainty predict where nucleosomes would not bind, and it is therefore inferred that they can, and probably do, bind elsewhere.

BMC Genomics

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "a certain certainty" when you want to emphasize a particular or limited degree of confidence, rather than absolute sureness. This implies a nuanced perspective, acknowledging potential uncertainties while still expressing belief.

Common error

Avoid using "a certain certainty" when you need to convey complete and unwavering confidence. In contexts requiring absolute assurance, opt for stronger expressions like "absolute certainty" or "undeniable fact".

Linguistic Context

The phrase "a certain certainty" functions as a noun phrase that describes a state of being confident or sure about something, but with a degree of reservation or qualification. As pointed out by Ludwig AI, the phrase is correct and usable. It suggests a level of confidence that isn't absolute.

Expression frequency: Rare

Frequent in

News & Media

50%

Science

50%

Formal & Business

0%

Less common in

Academia

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Wiki

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "a certain certainty" is a valid, though uncommon, expression used to convey a qualified sense of confidence. As Ludwig AI confirms, it's grammatically sound and usable. It is most frequently found in news and scientific contexts. Related phrases include "a definite assurance" and "a specific confidence", which offer similar but slightly different nuances. When using this phrase, be aware of the potential for misinterpretation and ensure the context clearly indicates the intended degree of certainty. Overall, while not an everyday expression, "a certain certainty" serves a specific purpose in conveying nuanced confidence.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

a definite assurance

Emphasizes the definiteness of the assurance, moving away from the slight ambiguity of "certain".

a specific confidence

Highlights the particular nature of the confidence being expressed.

a level of conviction

Focuses on the strength of belief or opinion.

a degree of assurance

Indicates a measured amount of confidence.

a sense of security

Implies a feeling of being safe and protected.

a feeling of certainty

Highlights the emotional aspect of being sure.

a firm belief

Emphasizes the steadfastness of the belief.

a strong conviction

Similar to "a level of conviction" but suggests an even greater degree of belief.

a decided certainty

A more forceful expression of certainty.

a qualified confidence

Suggests that the confidence comes with conditions or reservations.

FAQs

How can I use "a certain certainty" in a sentence?

Use "a certain certainty" when you want to convey a sense of confidence that is not absolute but still considerable. For instance, "There is "a certain certainty" that the project will be completed on time, despite minor setbacks."

What phrases are similar to "a certain certainty"?

Alternatives to "a certain certainty" include "a definite assurance", "a specific confidence", or "a level of conviction". The best choice depends on the specific nuance you want to convey.

Is it redundant to use "a certain certainty"?

While it might seem redundant, "a certain certainty" can be used to express that while you are confident, you are not entirely without reservations. It is appropriate when you're trying to avoid making an overly bold or absolute statement.

When is it best to avoid using the phrase "a certain certainty"?

Avoid using "a certain certainty" in situations that demand unequivocal assurance or where absolute clarity is essential. In such cases, opting for phrases like "absolute certainty" or "undoubted fact" is more appropriate.