all certain

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "all certain" is not correct and does not convey a clear meaning in written English.
It is not typically used in any context, as it combines two contradictory terms. Example: "I am all certain that we will succeed" does not make sense.

⚠ May contain grammatical issues

News & Media

Academia

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

Nor is it at all certain.

The Economist

This is not at all certain.

The Guardian - Opinion

Because we were all certain then, too.

The Washington Post

And right now, that doesn't look at all certain.

The New York Times

"I couldn't be at all certain that they would prevail.

The New York Times

But as the researchers point out in the paper, that's not at all certain.

University of California, Berkeley

I remember when the "Goosebumps" books first became popular, that's all certain children were reading.

The New York Times - Books

And, above all, certain people can tell a story, and other people can't.

The New Yorker

We were all certain we risked being beaten or even killed.

The Guardian

Electrical engineers, physicists and other scientists say such conclusions are possible but not at all certain.

The Washington Post

For the first time in nearly twenty years, the outcome is not at all certain.

The Economist

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Avoid using the phrase "all certain" in formal writing. Opt for more grammatically sound alternatives like "completely certain" or "entirely sure" to express a strong sense of conviction or assurance.

Common error

Writers sometimes mistakenly use "all certain" thinking it directly equates to "completely certain". However, this substitution often sounds awkward and grammatically unconventional. Always prefer the established phrases for clarity.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "all certain" functions as an adjective phrase intended to express a high degree of confidence or assurance. However, according to Ludwig AI, it is considered grammatically incorrect, although frequently used.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

50%

Academia

25%

Science

25%

Less common in

Encyclopedias

0%

Formal & Business

0%

Wiki

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

While the phrase "all certain" appears frequently in various sources, it is deemed grammatically "incorrect" by Ludwig AI. It's intended to convey a strong sense of assurance, but more established alternatives like "completely certain" or "entirely sure" are recommended for formal writing. Despite its prevalence in contexts like News & Media and Academia, writers should exercise caution and prefer grammatically sound options to maintain clarity and credibility.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

completely certain

Adds emphasis to the degree of certainty, indicating a total lack of doubt.

entirely certain

Similar to "completely certain", stressing the exhaustive nature of the certainty.

absolutely certain

Emphasizes the certainty as being without any possible doubt.

fully convinced

Highlights the state of being persuaded or assured about something.

entirely sure

Synonymous with "entirely certain", focusing on the feeling of confidence.

absolutely sure

Expresses a high degree of confidence and conviction.

unquestionably certain

Highlights that the certainty is beyond any possible question or challenge.

definitely sure

Emphasizes the definiteness of the certainty.

without a doubt

Indicates certainty by negating any possibility of doubt.

beyond any doubt

Similar to "without a doubt", suggesting the certainty is irrefutable.

FAQs

What's grammatically wrong with the phrase "all certain"?

While commonly found, the phrase "all certain" doesn't follow standard English grammar rules. It's best to use alternatives like "completely certain" or "entirely sure".

Is "all certain" ever appropriate to use?

Although you might encounter "all certain" in various texts, it's generally advised to avoid it in formal contexts. Opt for alternatives that are more grammatically accepted and clearer in meaning.

Which is correct, "all certain" or "completely certain"?

"Completely certain" is the grammatically correct and widely accepted phrase. While "all certain" is sometimes used, it's not considered standard English.

What can I say instead of "all certain"?

You can use alternatives like "completely certain", "absolutely sure", or "fully convinced" depending on the context.