all but confirmed

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "all but confirmed" is correct and commonly used in written English.
It means that something is almost completely confirmed, but not quite. Example: The team's victory was all but confirmed with only one minute left in the game.

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Sport

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

56 human-written examples

A few phone calls all but confirmed my hunch.

The Guardian - Travel

On Wednesday the prime minister all but confirmed a Medicare campaign was planned.

The Guardian

Indeed, a Wal-Mart spokesman all but confirmed this to me.

The New Yorker

The win, their sixth successive in the league, all but confirmed third place for them.

The Guardian - Sport

Malcolm Turnbull has all but confirmed the demise of the so-called "backpacker tax".

The Guardian

This was all but confirmed when she announced she wouldn't be performing this year.

The Guardian - Music

After last night's announcement, Egypt's worst-kept secret has been all but confirmed.

Independent

INSIDE PITCH Joe Girardi all but confirmed that the 21-year-old rookie Jesus Montero would play in the postseason.

The New York Times - Sports

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

3 human-written examples

This story seems to all-but confirm that Summers has got it http://t.co/DF45gdLP9f.

Huffington Post

This time round a win for Chile would all but confirm their presence in the last 16, while almost certainly eliminating the world champions.

The Guardian - Sport

Sony didn't help things by getting posted video removed, which all-but-confirms that the leaks were legitimate.

TechCrunch

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "all but confirmed" when you want to convey a strong likelihood or expectation without stating something as a definitive fact. It's useful when an official announcement is pending, but the outcome is widely anticipated.

Common error

Avoid using "all but confirmed" when the evidence is weak or speculative. This phrase implies a high degree of certainty, so reserve it for situations where the outcome is genuinely very likely.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "all but confirmed" functions as an adjectival phrase, modifying a noun or pronoun to indicate a state of near-certainty. Ludwig AI validates this usage through numerous examples where the phrase precedes a noun, describing its status.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

77%

Sport

13%

Formal & Business

3%

Less common in

Science

4%

Encyclopedias

0%

Wiki

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "all but confirmed" is a common and grammatically correct expression used to indicate a high degree of certainty without absolute proof. Ludwig AI's analysis confirms that it is most frequently used in news and sports contexts to describe situations where the outcome is highly probable, as shown by numerous examples from reputable sources such as The Guardian, The New York Times, and BBC. When using this phrase, ensure that there is substantial evidence to support the near-certainty you are conveying, avoiding overstatement or speculation. Alternatives such as "virtually certain" or "as good as confirmed" can be used to convey similar meanings with slightly different nuances.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

as good as confirmed

Maintains the original's structure while varying the wording for emphasis.

virtually certain

Replaces "all but confirmed" with a stronger emphasis on the high probability of something occurring.

practically certain

Similar to "virtually certain", this alternative suggests a near-absolute level of confidence.

effectively confirmed

Suggests the confirmation exists in practical terms, even if not officially stated.

almost certain

This option focuses on the high degree of likelihood.

for all intents and purposes confirmed

Highlights that the outcome is confirmed for practical considerations.

tantamount to confirmation

Uses a more formal tone indicating an equivalent level of certainty to an official confirmation.

substantially verified

Emphasizes the verification aspect, indicating that significant evidence supports the confirmation.

largely corroborated

Focuses on the supporting evidence that makes the confirmation highly probable.

ascertained

A more concise and direct way of expressing that something has been established with a high degree of confidence.

FAQs

What does "all but confirmed" mean?

The phrase "all but confirmed" means that something is almost certain or definite, though not officially or explicitly stated. It implies a very high degree of probability based on available evidence or strong indications.

How can I use "all but confirmed" in a sentence?

You can use "all but confirmed" to describe situations where the outcome is highly predictable. For example, "The merger between the two companies is "as good as confirmed" pending regulatory approval".

What are some alternatives to "all but confirmed"?

Alternatives to "all but confirmed" include phrases like "virtually certain", "practically certain", or "almost certain". The best choice depends on the specific context and the degree of certainty you wish to convey.

Is it appropriate to use "all but confirmed" in formal writing?

Yes, "all but confirmed" is suitable for formal writing, particularly in news reports or business contexts, where it's important to convey a high degree of likelihood without making an absolute claim. It is a more neutral alternative to phrases like "guaranteed" or "assured".