absolutely certain

USAGE SUMMARY

"absolutely certain" is a correct and usable phrase in written English.
It is typically used to emphasize a strong level of certainty or conviction about something. Here is an example: "I am absolutely certain that I locked the door before leaving the house. I double-checked it three times."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Wiki

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

59 human-written examples

"Absolutely certain".

The New Yorker

"I'm absolutely certain.

The New Yorker

That I'm absolutely certain of".

The New York Times

He was "absolutely certain," she remembers.

The New Yorker

I am absolutely certain it was her".

Independent

"I was absolutely certain it was clean".

The Guardian - Sport

It's absolutely certain we will appeal".

The Guardian - Sport

No, I am absolutely certain of it.

The Guardian - Sport

I'm absolutely certain that made a difference.

The Guardian

"I'm absolutely certain we can do this".

The New York Times - Magazine

In fact, it's not faith if you're absolutely certain.

The New Yorker

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "absolutely certain" to express a strong and unwavering belief or conviction, avoiding ambiguity in your statement. For example, "I am "absolutely certain" that this strategy will succeed."

Common error

While "absolutely certain" is effective for emphasis, avoid using it excessively, as it can make your writing sound repetitive or insincere. Vary your language with synonyms like "completely sure" or "entirely convinced" to maintain a natural and engaging tone.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "absolutely certain" functions as an intensifier modifying an adjective. It amplifies the degree of certainty, indicating a very strong conviction. As Ludwig AI points out, it emphasizes a strong level of certainty.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

46%

Wiki

19%

Science

14%

Less common in

Formal & Business

5%

Reference

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "absolutely certain" is a commonly used phrase to express strong conviction or assurance. Ludwig AI analysis confirms its grammatical correctness and usability in written English. It's frequently found in News & Media, Wiki, and Scientific contexts. While versatile, it's best to use it judiciously to avoid sounding repetitive. Consider synonyms like "completely sure" or "entirely convinced" for variety. When employing "absolutely certain", make sure the message you want to communicate to your audience is one of unwavering belief.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

completely sure

Replaces "certain" with "sure" and "absolutely" with "completely", offering a slightly less formal tone.

entirely convinced

Substitutes "certain" with "convinced" and "absolutely" with "entirely", focusing on the state of being persuaded.

totally confident

Uses "confident" instead of "certain", emphasizing assurance, and "totally" instead of "absolutely".

undeniably sure

Replaces "absolutely" with "undeniably", stressing the irrefutable nature of the certainty.

unquestionably certain

Emphasizes that there is no doubt about the certainty using "unquestionably".

positive beyond doubt

Shifts the focus to being positive and eliminates any possibility of doubt.

categorically certain

Adds a stronger, more formal tone to the certainty.

absolutely positive

Swaps "certain" with "positive", creating a more emphatic declaration.

assured without question

Highlights the lack of any doubt or reservation.

firmly convinced

Focuses on the strength of the conviction and replaces "absolutely" with "firmly".

FAQs

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

You can use "absolutely certain" to express a strong conviction or belief about something. For example, "I am "absolutely certain" that I locked the door" or "She was "absolutely certain" about her answer".

What can I say instead of "absolutely certain"?

You can use alternatives like "completely sure", "totally confident", or "entirely convinced" depending on the context.

Is it redundant to say "absolutely certain"?

While "certain" already implies a degree of confidence, using "absolutely certain" emphasizes the strength and unwavering nature of that conviction. The redundancy is intentional for emphasis.

How does "absolutely certain" compare to "pretty sure"?

"Absolutely certain" indicates a much stronger level of confidence than "pretty sure". "Pretty sure" suggests a likelihood with some room for doubt, while "absolutely certain" implies no doubt whatsoever.