be certain to

USAGE SUMMARY

"be certain to" is an acceptable and commonly used phrase in written English.
You can use it to emphasize the importance of something, or to remind someone to take a certain action. For example: "Be certain to double check your answers before submitting the exam."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Wiki

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

Withholding services would be certain to prompt civil-rights lawsuits.

The New Yorker

They would be certain to fail once they hit the hard-assed realities of the market.

The Guardian - Business

Chabad leaders said the Mumbai house would be certain to reopen.

The New York Times

But the size of the majority means the bill must now be certain to become law.

The Guardian

Other changes may be coming, so be certain to pick up future brochures.

The New York Times

We cannot be certain to what extent these groups work together.

The New York Times

Mr. Bush added: "We cannot be certain to what extent these groups work together.

The New York Times

Be certain to use only enough gelatin to set the mixture to the desired texture.

The New York Times - Food

Nor would the concentration of the industry be certain to stop.

The Economist

The totals exclude those who said they would not be certain to vote.

Independent

Either measure would be certain to infuriate the Chinese government, which reserves the right to control all organized religion.

The New York Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When providing instructions, use "be certain to" to clearly indicate mandatory steps, enhancing clarity and preventing oversights.

Common error

While "be certain to" is generally acceptable, avoid overuse in casual settings. Opt for simpler alternatives like "make sure to" or "remember to" to maintain a natural tone.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "be certain to" functions primarily as an imperative, used to give a strong recommendation or instruction. Ludwig AI confirms that the phrase is acceptable for written English and this function is supported by numerous examples where it introduces a required action. This usage aligns with examples found in the provided search results.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

33%

Wiki

29%

Science

8%

Less common in

Formal & Business

5%

Reference

0%

Social Media

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "be certain to" is a common and grammatically sound construction used to express strong recommendations or instructions. As confirmed by Ludwig AI, it's suitable for emphasizing the importance of an action across various contexts. It appears most frequently in news and media, wiki guides, and scientific documents. While generally neutral, it can lean towards formal, making it suitable for professional communication. When writing, remember that less formal alternatives such as "make sure to" or "remember to" exist, but "be certain to" should be kept for situations where it's vital that an action is correctly performed.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

be sure to

Similar in meaning, but may imply a slightly lower degree of necessity.

it is essential to

Emphasizes the necessity of the action.

ensure you

Slightly less emphatic than "be certain to", focusing on assurance.

take care to

Emphasizes caution and attention to detail.

it is important to

Highlights the significance of the action.

make sure to

A more casual alternative, suitable for less formal contexts.

you must

A more direct and forceful command.

remember to

Focuses on recall and action, rather than certainty.

be vigilant in

Highlights the need for watchfulness and alertness.

don't forget to

Highlights the possibility of omission, adding a gentle reminder.

FAQs

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

Use "be certain to" when you want to strongly recommend or instruct someone to do something. For example, "Be certain to double-check your work before submitting it."

What's a less formal alternative to "be certain to"?

If you're aiming for a more casual tone, consider using alternatives like "make sure to" or "remember to".

Is there a difference between "be certain to" and "be sure to"?

While similar, "be certain to" carries a slightly stronger emphasis on the importance or necessity of the action, compared to "be sure to".

When is it appropriate to use "be certain to"?

It's appropriate to use "be certain to" in situations where you want to strongly encourage someone to do something correctly or completely, such as giving instructions or providing important advice.