absolutely sure

USAGE SUMMARY

'absolutely sure' is correct and usable in written English.
You can use 'absolutely sure' to emphasize how certain you are about something. For example: "I'm absolutely sure I want to go on a world trip next year."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Wiki

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

I am absolutely sure.

The New York Times

Are you absolutely sure?

Independent

I'm absolutely sure".

The New York Times

They couldn't be absolutely sure.

The Guardian - Lifestyle

They can't be absolutely sure.

The Guardian - Money

"I am absolutely sure," she said.

The New York Times - Travel

Are we absolutely sure of the evidence?

The New York Times

But you cannot be absolutely sure.

The Economist

She is just absolutely sure of herself.

The New York Times

"Oh, I'm absolutely sure of it.

The Guardian - Books

I am absolutely sure of that".

The New Yorker

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "absolutely sure" to convey a high degree of confidence or certainty, ensuring the context supports such strong conviction. For example, say "I am absolutely sure I locked the door" rather than "I think I locked the door."

Common error

Avoid overusing "absolutely sure", as it can make your writing sound repetitive. Vary your language with synonyms like "certain", "positive", or "convinced" to maintain reader engagement.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "absolutely sure" functions as an adjective phrase that modifies a subject, indicating a state of strong conviction or certainty. Ludwig AI confirms its grammatical correctness, highlighting its use in expressing confidence.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

60%

Wiki

20%

Formal & Business

10%

Less common in

Science

5%

Encyclopedias

3%

Reference

2%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "absolutely sure" is a grammatically correct and very common adjective phrase used to express a strong sense of certainty. Ludwig AI analysis highlights that it's most frequently found in news and media contexts, with neutral register, rendering the expression valuable in both formal and informal communication. To avoid redundancy, consider alternatives such as "completely certain", "entirely convinced", or "totally positive". When using "absolutely sure", ensure the strength of your conviction aligns with the context, and prevent overuse to maintain reader engagement.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

completely certain

Focuses on the completeness of certainty, rather than just emphasis.

entirely convinced

Highlights the state of being persuaded beyond any doubt.

totally positive

Emphasizes the lack of negativity or doubt in the certainty.

perfectly confident

Highlights assurance and self-belief.

unequivocally certain

Adds a sense of formality and irrefutability to the certainty.

without a doubt

Indicates certainty by negating any possibility of doubt.

beyond any question

Similar to 'without a doubt', it stresses the absence of uncertainty.

dead certain

A more informal way to express absolute certainty.

sure as shooting

An idiomatic expression for absolute certainty.

positive without reservation

Indicates certainty without any hesitation or qualification.

FAQs

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

You can use "absolutely sure" to express strong conviction about something. For example, "I am "absolutely sure" I saw her at the party".

What's a less emphatic alternative to "absolutely sure"?

If you want to express a weaker level of certainty, consider using phrases like "pretty sure", "fairly certain", or "reasonably confident".

Which is correct: "I am absolutely sure" or "I am absolute sure"?

"I am "absolutely sure"" is the correct phrase. "Absolute sure" is grammatically incorrect.

What can I say instead of "I'm absolutely sure"?

You can use alternatives like "I'm "completely certain"", "I'm "entirely convinced"", or "I'm "totally positive"" depending on the context.