are certain to

USAGE SUMMARY

"are certain to" is correct and can be used in written English.
You can use this phrase to express certainty or assurance that something will happen. For example: "We are certain to succeed if we put in the necessary effort."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Academia

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

The findings are certain to stir debate.

The New York Times

These alternatives are certain to be controversial.

The New York Times

Yet there are certain to be survivors.

The Economist

Character tie-ins are certain to come.

The New York Times - Books

Those promises are certain to be broken.

The Guardian - Books

Such conflicts are certain to increase.

The New York Times

Games resembling Pikmin are certain to flower.

The New York Times - Tech

Otherwise, they are certain to mislead.

Harvard Business Review

On one issue there are certain to be objections.

The Guardian - Books

With three matches remaining, the Americans are certain to advance.

The New York Times - Arts

Civil liberties groups are certain to oppose the proposals.

The Guardian

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "are certain to" when you want to express a high degree of confidence about a future event or outcome. Ensure the context supports such a strong assertion.

Common error

Avoid using "are certain to" when discussing predictions with inherent uncertainty. Phrases like "likely to" or "expected to" are more appropriate for scenarios where the outcome is not guaranteed.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "are certain to" functions as a modal phrase expressing a high degree of certainty or inevitability regarding a future event or outcome. As Ludwig AI confirms, this phrase is grammatically correct and commonly used. Examples in Ludwig show it frequently preceding a verb to indicate assurance.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

75%

Academia

12%

Formal & Business

7%

Less common in

Science

6%

Encyclopedias

0%

Wiki

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "are certain to" is a grammatically correct and widely used expression to convey a high degree of certainty about a future event. As Ludwig AI confirms, it is suitable for various contexts, particularly in news and media, as well as academia and formal business settings. While versatile, it is crucial to reserve it for situations where there is strong evidence or assurance, avoiding overuse in speculative scenarios. Alternatives such as "are sure to" or "will definitely" can offer nuanced variations in meaning. The frequent usage of "are certain to" in authoritative sources underscores its reliability and widespread acceptance.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

are sure to

Emphasizes confidence in the outcome, slightly less formal.

are bound to

Suggests inevitability due to circumstances, slightly more emphatic.

will definitely

Uses an adverb to strengthen the verb, more direct.

are guaranteed to

Implies a formal assurance or promise, slightly more forceful.

are destined to

Conveys a sense of fate or predetermination, more dramatic.

are slated to

Indicates a scheduled or planned occurrence, more specific.

will undoubtedly

Uses an adverb to express certainty without conditions.

are poised to

Suggests readiness and imminent action, more active.

in all likelihood will

Expresses a high probability based on current conditions, more cautious.

it is inevitable that

Rephrases the statement to emphasize inescapability, more formal.

FAQs

How can I use "are certain to" in a sentence?

Use "are certain to" to express a strong belief that something will happen in the future. For example, "If you study hard, you "are certain to" pass the exam."

What are some alternatives to "are certain to"?

You can use alternatives like "are sure to", "are bound to", or "will definitely" depending on the specific nuance you want to convey.

Is there a difference between "are certain to" and "are likely to"?

"Are certain to" implies a higher degree of confidence than "are likely to". Use "are certain to" when you have strong evidence or assurance, and "are likely to" when the outcome is probable but not guaranteed.

When is it inappropriate to use "are certain to"?

Avoid using "are certain to" when the outcome is speculative or uncertain. In such cases, phrases like "might", "could", or "may" are more suitable.