be damn sure

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "be damn sure" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to emphasize the importance of being certain or confident about something. Example: "Before you make that investment, be damn sure you understand the risks involved."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

50 human-written examples

If I'm going to make a crazy decision, then I better be damn sure.

The New York Times - Magazine

You can be damn sure that every guy on my team says that.

The New York Times - Magazine

And if you do go further, you need to be damn sure that you know how to cure yourself.

The Guardian - Money

Mothers could be damn sure they were related to their kids, but men had no "paternity certainty".

The Guardian - Opinion

If you have a revolution, you need to be damn sure what you're replacing the old order with.

The Guardian - Film

I can be damn sure, though, that this music has now been completely fused to this time period in my life".

The New Yorker

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

10 human-written examples

"The fire near you may be rare, but you want to be damned sure that people come quickly.

The New York Times

If you are going to take the drastic step of deforestation, you had better be damned sure that you're making the right decision.

The Guardian - Opinion

"To live outside the law, you must be honest," Bob Dylan sang — to raise journalism above the artless presentation of facts, you'd better be damned sure of those facts.

The New Yorker

If Ford is not a great one for shouting the odds, he does not appear to consider this a likelihood – and you can be damned sure that Farrell doesn't either.

Independent

Had the Barnier-May talks been conducted not in the corridors of Brussels but in Pinkett Smith's living room, you can be damned sure we wouldn't be in the pickle we're in now.

The Guardian - TV & Radio

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "be damn sure" to add emphasis when you want to strongly convey the importance of being certain or confident about something. For a more formal context, consider alternatives like "be absolutely certain".

Common error

While "be damn sure" can be effective for emphasis, avoid using it too frequently in your writing, as it can lose its impact and make your tone sound overly aggressive or repetitive. Vary your language by using alternative expressions of certainty.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "be damn sure" functions as an emphatic expression used to stress the importance of certainty or confidence in a particular situation. It intensifies the standard "be sure", adding a layer of urgency or strong recommendation. Ludwig AI confirms this.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

94%

Wiki

2%

Formal & Business

1%

Less common in

Academia

0%

Science

0%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "be damn sure" is a grammatically correct and very common phrase used to emphatically express the importance of being certain about something. As Ludwig AI explains, it functions as an intensifier, adding a strong sense of urgency or recommendation. While predominantly found in news and media contexts, it's considered informal and should be used cautiously in formal settings. For such contexts, alternatives like "be absolutely certain" or "ensure without a doubt" are more suitable. Remember to avoid overuse to maintain its impact and prevent your writing from sounding overly aggressive.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

be absolutely certain

Emphasizes certainty using a more formal tone.

make absolutely sure

Focuses on the action of ensuring certainty.

be completely certain

Stresses the completeness of certainty.

make sure without a doubt

Highlights the absence of any doubt.

be entirely convinced

Focuses on a state of complete conviction.

ensure beyond any doubt

Stresses the action of ensuring with no uncertainty.

be positive without question

Emphasizes being positive with no room for questioning.

ascertain with certainty

Highlights the act of finding something out for sure.

confirm unequivocally

Focuses on providing undeniable confirmation.

leave no room for doubt

Indicates eliminating any possibility of uncertainty.

FAQs

How can I use "be damn sure" in a sentence?

You can use "be damn sure" to emphasize the importance of being certain about something. For example, "Before you invest your money, "be damn sure" you understand the risks involved."

What are some alternatives to "be damn sure"?

You can use alternatives like "be absolutely certain", "make absolutely sure", or "be completely certain" depending on the context.

Is "be damn sure" appropriate for formal writing?

While grammatically correct, "be damn sure" is generally considered informal. In formal writing, it's better to use more professional alternatives like "ensure without a doubt" or "ascertain with certainty".

What's the difference between "be damn sure" and "be sure"?

"Be sure" indicates a general need for certainty, while "be damn sure" adds emphasis and intensity, highlighting the critical importance of being certain. The latter is a stronger, more forceful expression.