a near certainty

USAGE SUMMARY

This phrase is a correct and usable part of a written sentence in English.
You can use it when the evidence strongly suggests that something will happen. For example: "From the survey responses, it is a near certainty that most of the employees will accept the new benefits."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Academia

Formal & Business

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

36 human-written examples

"It's a near certainty that L.S.U.

The New York Times - Sports

It is a near certainty that other states will eventually follow suit.

Harvard University

Death was a near certainty for the men who signed up for those early world-rounders.

The New York Times - Books

They would also be limited to cases with a "near certainty" of avoiding civilian casualties.

The New York Times

And it is a near certainty that one day Microsoft will turn off those servers.

The New York Times - Arts

BUSINESS and politics are full of surprises and a near certainty.

The Economist

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

23 human-written examples

Arthritis, he says, is a near- certainty.

The Guardian - Sport

Cancellation seemed a near-certainty.

The New York Times - Arts

A lawsuit is a near-certainty.

The Washington Post

Add complacency and it becomes a near-certainty.

The Economist

Reed had been a near-certainty at left centre.

Independent

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "a near certainty" when you want to convey a strong likelihood without claiming absolute certainty. It's useful in contexts where predictions are made based on strong evidence.

Common error

Avoid using "a near certainty" when the outcome is still uncertain or relies on too many assumptions. Overusing it can weaken your argument if the event doesn't occur.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "a near certainty" functions as a noun phrase, typically serving as a predicate nominative or object complement. It describes a situation or outcome that is highly probable but not guaranteed. Ludwig AI confirms that this phrase is suitable for use in written English.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

70%

Formal & Business

15%

Academia

10%

Less common in

Science

2%

Encyclopedias

1%

Wiki

2%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "a near certainty" is a frequently used phrase to express a high degree of confidence in a predicted outcome, though stopping short of absolute guarantee. It's grammatically correct and versatile, appearing across various registers but most commonly in news and media. Ludwig AI confirms that the phrase is a correct and usable part of a written sentence in English.

When using this phrase, remember to ensure that the context justifies the strong level of probability it conveys. Alternatives such as "almost certain" or "highly probable" can be useful if you need to adjust the level of certainty. The top authoritative sources that employ this phrase include The New York Times, The Guardian, and The Washington Post.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

Almost certain

This alternative uses 'almost' to slightly soften the certainty.

Highly probable

Changes the wording to a more formal tone using 'probable' instead of 'certainty'.

Very likely

Replaces 'certainty' with 'likely' for a less definitive statement.

Practically guaranteed

Emphasizes the assuredness by using 'guaranteed'.

Virtually assured

Uses 'assured' to highlight the confidence in the outcome.

Nearly inevitable

Suggests the outcome is difficult to avoid.

A foregone conclusion

Indicates the result is predetermined and obvious.

Safe bet

An informal idiom suggesting a high probability of success.

To be expected

Implies the outcome aligns with anticipation.

Odds-on favorite

This is usually referring to winning a prize or award.

FAQs

How to use "a near certainty" in a sentence?

Use "a near certainty" to express a high degree of confidence in a future outcome, supported by substantial evidence. For instance, "Given the current trends, a market correction is "a near certainty"".

What can I say instead of "a near certainty"?

You can use alternatives like "almost certain", "highly probable", or "very likely" depending on the specific context and level of formality.

Is it correct to say "near certainty" without the article "a"?

While "near certainty" is understandable, it's grammatically more standard to include the article "a" before the phrase when used as a predicate nominative or adjective. Saying "it is near certainty" sounds awkward compared to "it is "a near certainty"".

What's the difference between "a near certainty" and "a possibility"?

"A near certainty" indicates a high probability based on current evidence, suggesting the outcome is almost guaranteed. In contrast, "a possibility" implies a chance something could happen, even if unlikely. "A near certainty" has much stronger implications than "a possibility".