are to be certain

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "are to be certain" is not correct in standard written English.
It may be intended to express a future obligation or expectation, but it lacks clarity and proper structure. Example: "The results of the experiment are to be certain before we proceed with the next phase."

⚠ May contain grammatical issues

Science

News & Media

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

1 human-written examples

Neither sort is infallibly certain, in the way that Descartes proposed judgments are to be certain if they are to be reckoned knowledge.

SEP

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

59 human-written examples

This was, to be certain, the Nets' biggest victory of the season.

The New York Times - Sports

The first step is to be certain of the basis of the published data and consider in what ways this will be affected by different conditions.

Refrigeration and Air Conditioning

Benefits: The second goal of healthcare is to be certain that prevention, diagnostic tests, and appropriate treatments are covered by the health plan.

Huffington Post

Parameter w is used to specify weights which are to be given certain degrees of membership.

Journal of Industrial Engineering International

The more sensitive you are, the more certain you are to be brutalized, develop scabs.

The New Yorker

To possess a virtue is to be a certain sort of person with a certain complex mindset.

SEP

If feedback is to be effective certain criteria must be met.

BMC Medical Education

"But my role is to be ready for certain situations.

The New York Times - Sports

He was to be at a certain spot at 4 15.

The New Yorker

Meals were to be eaten at certain times and meats were to be weighed.

The New York Times - Health

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When aiming for clarity, replace "are to be certain" with stronger, more direct phrasing like "must be certain" or "should be certain" to clearly convey obligation or expectation.

Common error

Avoid using "are to be certain" in informal contexts; it often sounds stilted or overly formal. Opt for more natural alternatives such as "need to be sure" or "have to be certain" in everyday conversation or writing.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "are to be certain" functions as part of a verb phrase intended to express a degree of obligation or necessity regarding certainty. However, according to Ludwig AI, the phrasing is not typical in standard written English. The provided examples show its rare usage in various contexts.

Expression frequency: Rare

Frequent in

Science

33%

News & Media

33%

Formal & Business

0%

Less common in

Encyclopedias

0%

Wiki

0%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "are to be certain" attempts to convey a need for confirmation or a state of being without doubt. However, as Ludwig AI points out, it is not typical in standard written English, making it sound somewhat awkward or overly formal. It appears infrequently, with the given examples pointing to usage across scientific, news, and media contexts. For clearer and more direct communication, alternatives such as "must be certain", "should be certain", or "need to be certain" are generally preferred. Although various authoritative sources employ the phrase, its rare usage suggests careful consideration is warranted before adopting it in writing.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

must be certain

Replaces the "are to" construction with a stronger modal verb, indicating necessity.

should be certain

Uses a weaker modal verb, suggesting a recommendation or expectation rather than a requirement.

need to be certain

Emphasizes the necessity of achieving certainty.

have to be certain

Indicates a requirement or obligation to ensure certainty.

need to ensure certainty

Focuses on the action of ensuring certainty, rather than just being certain.

must ensure certainty

Combines the necessity of "must" with the action of ensuring.

it is imperative to be certain

Highlights the critical importance of being certain.

it is crucial to be certain

Stresses the essential nature of achieving certainty.

it is vital to be certain

Emphasizes the life-or-death importance of being certain.

it is essential to be certain

Highlights the fundamental importance of being certain.

FAQs

What does "are to be certain" mean?

The phrase "are to be certain" suggests a requirement or expectation that something needs to be confirmed or without doubt. However, it's often clearer to use alternatives like /s/must+be+certain or /s/need+to+be+certain.

When should I use "are to be certain"?

While grammatically awkward, "are to be certain" might appear in formal contexts aiming to express a strong need for confirmation. However, more direct phrases like /s/should+be+certain are generally preferred.

What can I say instead of "are to be certain"?

You can use alternatives like "must be certain", "should be certain", or "need to be certain" depending on the intended level of obligation or necessity.

Is "are to be certain" grammatically correct?

While not strictly incorrect, "are to be certain" is not the most natural or common phrasing. Using more direct alternatives enhances clarity. Ludwig AI suggests it's not correct in standard written English.