are far from certain

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "are far from certain" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to express doubt or a lack of confidence in a particular situation or outcome. Example: "The results of the experiment are far from certain, and further testing is needed to draw any conclusions."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Academia

Encyclopedias

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

These days, taxes are far from certain.

The Economist

But his whereabouts are far from certain.

The New York Times

The deal's prospects are far from certain.

The New York Times

Still, the cuts' full effects are far from certain.

The Economist

And they are far from certain to join NATO.

The Economist

But its long-term ramifications are far from certain.

The Guardian

But the museum's prospects are far from certain.

The New York Times

Systematic relationships of Herrerasaurus and its relatives are far from certain.

University of California, Berkeley

'Worthy of My Best Shot' The long-term prospects are far from certain.

The New York Times

What's more, there are a lot of assumptions in Citigroup's analysis that are far from certain.

The Washington Post

Safety experts caution, however, that conclusions at this stage of an investigation are far from certain.

The New York Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Consider the level of formality required by your audience. While "are far from certain" is generally suitable for neutral and professional contexts, more informal alternatives might be appropriate in casual settings.

Common error

Avoid using "are far from certain" when there is clear evidence or strong indications pointing towards a particular outcome. Overstating uncertainty can undermine your credibility.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "are far from certain" functions as a qualifier, expressing doubt or a lack of confidence regarding a situation or outcome. Ludwig provides many examples illustrating its usage in various contexts, reinforcing its role as a marker of uncertainty.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

68%

Academia

12%

Encyclopedias

3%

Less common in

Science

5%

Formal & Business

0%

Wiki

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "are far from certain" is a grammatically correct and frequently used expression to convey doubt or uncertainty. Ludwig AI confirms its validity and provides numerous examples across various domains. Its neutral register makes it suitable for a wide range of contexts, though users should be mindful of overstating uncertainty and consider the level of formality required by their audience. Alternatives like "are not assured" or "are highly doubtful" can offer subtle variations in meaning. The prevalence of this phrase in news and academic sources highlights its importance in expressing measured and nuanced perspectives.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

are not assured

This alternative directly replaces 'certain' with 'assured', maintaining a similar level of formality but emphasizing a lack of guaranteed outcome.

are not guaranteed

This alternative highlights the absence of a guarantee, focusing on the potential for failure or deviation from expectations.

remain uncertain

This option uses 'remain' to emphasize that the uncertainty persists over time, adding a temporal aspect to the lack of clarity.

are highly doubtful

This phrase uses 'doubtful' to convey uncertainty, amplifying the skepticism surrounding the potential outcome.

are quite unlikely

By using 'unlikely', the phrase shifts the emphasis to the low probability of something happening.

are subject to doubt

This alternative frames uncertainty as something being acted upon by doubt, highlighting the influence of skepticism.

are questionable

Using 'questionable' suggests that there are valid reasons to doubt or challenge the certainty of something.

are open to question

This highlights that the certainty can be contested or challenged.

are up in the air

This idiom expresses uncertainty through a visual metaphor, suggesting that the outcome is undecided and could go either way.

are precarious

This suggests instability and potential for adverse outcome.

FAQs

How can I use "are far from certain" in a sentence?

You can use "are far from certain" to express doubt or uncertainty about a future outcome. For example: "The project's success "are far from certain" given the current economic climate."

What are some alternatives to "are far from certain"?

Some alternatives include "are not assured", "are highly doubtful", or "are not guaranteed". The best choice depends on the specific nuance you want to convey.

Is it correct to say "is far from certain"?

Yes, "is far from certain" is correct when referring to a singular subject, while "are far from certain" is used for plural subjects. For example: "His victory "is far from certain"" versus "Their chances "are far from certain"."

What is the difference between "are far from certain" and "are uncertain"?

"Are uncertain" simply indicates a lack of certainty. "Are far from certain" emphasizes a greater degree of doubt or a lower probability of a particular outcome. It implies a more significant level of skepticism than just saying something "are uncertain".