a degree of certainty

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "a degree of certainty" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used when discussing the level of confidence or assurance one has about a particular statement or situation. Example: "While we cannot predict the outcome with absolute certainty, we can say that there is a degree of certainty that the project will be completed on time."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Academia

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

It also offers a degree of certainty and sustainability.

The Guardian

But off-site production requires a degree of certainty and volume".

The Guardian - Arts

But it does provide a degree of certainty that is otherwise lacking in today's markets.

The New York Times

On some things we can speculate with a degree of certainty.

The Guardian - Opinion

This additional funding … brings a degree of certainty and considerable upside in the coming years".

The Guardian - Sport

We now have a degree of certainty about what the value in question will be.

The Guardian - Sport

Cardinality constraints are assigned a degree of certainty that stipulates on which objects they hold.

Data & Knowledge Engineering

"For 25 years, people have been testifying with a degree of certainty that did not exist," Mr. Bednar said.

The New York Times

I can say this with a degree of certainty because the Strasbourg Court considered an almost identical case in 2000.

The Guardian - Opinion

There are many imponderables ahead in 2010, but two things can be predicted with a degree of certainty.

The Guardian

Cardinality constraints and functional dependencies are assigned a degree of certainty that stipulates on which objects they hold.

Data & Knowledge Engineering

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "a degree of certainty" to indicate a level of confidence that falls short of absolute certainty but is still significant. This helps to convey nuanced assessments and avoid overstating claims.

Common error

Avoid using "a degree of certainty" when the situation involves pure speculation or guesswork. It's best suited when you have solid evidence or reasoning to support your level of confidence.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "a degree of certainty" functions as a noun phrase, often acting as an object of a verb or preposition. As seen in the Ludwig examples, it quantifies the level of confidence or assurance associated with a statement or prediction.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

40%

Science

30%

Academia

20%

Less common in

Formal & Business

5%

Wiki

3%

Reference

2%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "a degree of certainty" is a versatile noun phrase used to express a qualified level of confidence or assurance. According to Ludwig, it is grammatically correct and frequently appears in various contexts, including news, science, and academia. The phrase allows for nuanced assessments by acknowledging potential uncertainty while still conveying a significant level of confidence. When using this phrase, avoid overstating claims and ensure that your level of confidence is supported by evidence or reasoning. Alternatives such as "a level of assurance" or "a measure of confidence" can be used depending on the specific nuance you want to convey.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

a level of assurance

This alternative highlights the aspect of guaranteeing or ensuring something.

a high probability

This alternative quantifies the chance of an event occurring.

a measure of confidence

This alternative focuses on the feeling of trust or belief in something.

a strong likelihood

This alternative emphasizes the probability of an event occurring.

a reasonable expectation

This alternative suggests an anticipation based on logical or practical grounds.

a significant possibility

This alternative underlines the importance or impact of the chance.

a good chance

This alternative uses a less formal approach to indicate probability of something happening.

a firm conviction

This alternative expresses a strong belief or opinion.

considerable sureness

This indicates a notable level of confidence or definiteness.

virtual guarantee

This expresses a level of assurance that is close to absolute certainty.

FAQs

How can I use "a degree of certainty" in a sentence?

You can use "a degree of certainty" to express confidence in an outcome or belief, even if it's not absolute. For example, "We can predict with "a degree of certainty" that the project will be successful."

What are some alternatives to "a degree of certainty"?

Depending on the context, you could use phrases like "a level of assurance", "a measure of confidence", or "a strong likelihood" to convey a similar meaning.

Is it better to say "degree of certainty" or "level of certainty"?

Both "degree of certainty" and "level of certainty" are grammatically correct and can be used interchangeably. However, "degree of certainty" is slightly more common in formal writing.

How does "a degree of certainty" differ from "absolute certainty"?

"A degree of certainty" implies that there is some, but not complete, confidence or assurance. "Absolute certainty" means there is no doubt whatsoever. The former acknowledges potential for error or change, while the latter does not.