almost certainly

USAGE SUMMARY

'almost certainly' is a correct and usable phrase in written English.
You can use it when you are certain of something but not completely certain. For example: The results of this test will almost certainly lead to advances in medical treatment.

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

She almost certainly will.

Independent

Almost certainly he will.

The New York Times - Sports

FIS almost certainly won't.

The Economist

The former, almost certainly.

The New York Times - Arts

Some almost certainly will.

The New York Times

China almost certainly can.

The New York Times

Almost certainly you cannot.

The New York Times

Almost certainly true.

The Economist

No, almost certainly not.

The New York Times

That's almost certainly wrong.

The Economist

Schools almost certainly closed.

The New Yorker

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "almost certainly" when you want to express a high degree of confidence in a statement without claiming absolute certainty.

Common error

Avoid using "almost certainly" when you have concrete evidence or proof. In such cases, use stronger terms like "certainly" or "definitely".

Linguistic Context

The phrase "almost certainly" functions as an adverbial modifier. It modifies a verb or clause, expressing the speaker's assessment of the likelihood of an event or situation. Examples found by Ludwig demonstrate its use in predicting outcomes and expressing strong beliefs. According to Ludwig, the phrase follows standard grammar rules.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

100%

Less common in

Science

0%

Formal & Business

0%

Academia

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "almost certainly" functions as an adverbial modifier that expresses a high degree of probability without claiming absolute certainty. According to Ludwig, it follows standard grammar rules and is considered correct. As seen in Ludwig's examples, it is very common in News & Media contexts. When using this phrase, remember to consider whether a stronger expression of certainty is more appropriate, and be mindful of the subtle difference in meaning compared to related phrases like "most likely" or "very likely". It’s a versatile phrase for expressing confident predictions or assessments.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

it is practically certain

Emphasizes certainty while still allowing a small margin of doubt.

most likely

Uses a different construction to express similar likelihood.

very likely

Changes the adverb to emphasize likelihood directly.

virtually guaranteed

Suggests an outcome is very close to being guaranteed.

it is reasonably certain

Indicates a degree of certainty based on available evidence.

highly probable

Replaces common words with more formal synonyms.

it seems assured

Implies confidence in a future event based on current conditions.

in all probability

Offers a more formal and cautious tone.

one can safely assume

Suggests a reasonable basis for assumption, implying high probability.

chances are high

Shifts to a more informal, idiomatic expression.

FAQs

How to use "almost certainly" in a sentence?

Use "almost certainly" to express a high degree of confidence without absolute certainty, such as, "The new policy will "almost certainly" improve efficiency."

What can I say instead of "almost certainly"?

You can use alternatives like "very likely", "most likely", or "highly probable" depending on the context.

Which is correct, "almost certainly" or "most certainly"?

"Almost certainly" and "most certainly" are both grammatically correct, but they have slightly different connotations. "Almost certainly" suggests a very high probability, while "most certainly" implies strong affirmation or agreement.

What's the difference between "almost certainly" and "definitely"?

"Almost certainly" implies a high degree of probability but allows for the possibility of error, while "definitely" expresses complete certainty without any doubt.