be certain about

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "be certain about" is correct and usable in written English.
You can use it when expressing confidence or assurance regarding a particular fact or situation. Example: "Before making a decision, you should be certain about the information you have gathered."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Formal & Business

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

"That we can be certain about," said Gen. Martin Luther Agwai, the top commander of the peacekeeping force in Darfur.

The New York Times

Neither can one be certain about Capriati.

The Guardian - Sport

But Smith cannot be certain about his army.

The New York Times - Sports

WHEN will scientists be certain about climate change, and whether clouds affect it?

The New York Times

Happily, the Pope is better equipped to be certain about godly things than I am.

Independent

It's hard to be certain about which tissues are actually present in the resulting organoid.

Nature

What you really have to do is be certain about the unknown".

The New York Times - Magazine

But "I've come to realize that it's pretty dangerous to be certain about people's reactions".

The Guardian

And she'd never trusted anybody who claimed to be certain about God.

The New Yorker

This is possible, but Israel can never be certain about future Palestinian intentions.

The New York Times

"I don't think it's possible, especially since you cannot be certain about the presence of C.T.E.

The New Yorker

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "be certain about", ensure you have sufficient evidence or justification to support your level of certainty. Overstating certainty without backing can undermine your credibility.

Common error

Avoid using "be certain about" when expressing opinions or predictions, especially in contexts where uncertainty is inherent. Instead, use softer language like "believe" or "expect" to acknowledge the possibility of alternative outcomes.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "be certain about" functions primarily as a declarative expression indicating a state of assurance or confidence regarding a specific topic or situation. Ludwig's examples show its use in conveying certainty about facts, intentions, or future outcomes.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

45%

Science

35%

Formal & Business

10%

Less common in

Encyclopedias

2%

Wiki

1%

Reference

7%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "be certain about" is a grammatically sound and frequently used phrase to express a state of assurance or confidence. Ludwig AI confirms this with numerous examples from diverse sources. While versatile, it's best to use the phrase when you have adequate justification for your certainty and avoid overstating your conviction. Related phrases like "be sure about" or "be convinced of" offer alternatives for nuanced expression. Overall, the phrase is a valuable tool for conveying conviction in various contexts, primarily in news, science and formal communication.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

be sure about

Focuses on sureness or confidence regarding something, similar to being certain.

be convinced of

Implies a strong belief or assurance, often based on evidence or persuasion.

be confident in

Emphasizes having trust or faith in something.

be positive about

Suggests a hopeful or optimistic assurance regarding something.

ascertain

Implies discovering something with certainty through investigation.

make certain of

Implies taking action to ensure something is definite or without doubt.

verify

Focuses on confirming the truth or accuracy of something.

determine with certainty

Emphasizes establishing something definitively.

confirm

Implies establishing the truth or validity of something previously uncertain.

establish with assurance

Highlights a firm and confident confirmation.

FAQs

How can I use "be certain about" in a sentence?

You can use "be certain about" to express confidence or assurance regarding a particular fact or situation. For example, "Before making a decision, you should "be certain about" the information you have gathered".

What's the difference between "be certain about" and "be sure about"?

While "be certain about" and "be sure about" are often interchangeable, "be certain about" can imply a slightly stronger degree of conviction or evidence. Both phrases indicate a high level of confidence.

What can I say instead of "be certain about"?

You can use alternatives like "be convinced of", "be confident in", or "be positive about" depending on the context.

Is it always necessary to "be certain about" something before acting?

While certainty is desirable, it's not always attainable or necessary. Often, decisions must be made based on the best available information, even if complete certainty is lacking. Assessing risks and probabilities can be more practical than seeking absolute certainty.