be damned sure

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "be damned sure" is correct and usable in written English.
It is typically used to emphasize certainty or assurance about something, often in a colloquial or emphatic context. Example: "You better be damned sure that you double-check your work before submitting it."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact 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

"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

While I'd wager that Mattel is already cracking away at a re-write, it might take a while — you can be damned sure that any replacement book will be vetted a bit more thoroughly than the first one was.

TechCrunch

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

50 human-written examples

I'm racking my brains to think of an equivalent handle for a man in his mid- 40s who dates a 17-year-old girl, but I'm damned sure there's no pejorative.

The Guardian - Opinion

They're not for everyone, and they're damned sure not for every room; but in small doses (with a chaser of irony), they're fun and nostalgic.

Forbes

America was not officially "at war," but we were damned sure going to "get our man".

Vice

If I was going to attempt to be a good big sister for once in my life, I was damned sure that envelope was going to get to my brother before graduation.

Huffington Post

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

The New York Times - Magazine

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "be damned sure" to add emphasis to a statement when you want to convey a strong sense of certainty or conviction. However, be mindful of your audience, as the phrase may be considered inappropriate in formal settings.

Common error

Avoid using "be damned sure" in professional emails, academic papers, or formal presentations. Opt for alternatives like "be absolutely certain" or "ensure that" to maintain a more appropriate tone.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "be damned sure" functions as an emphatic expression, primarily used to underscore the necessity or certainty of an action or belief. As Ludwig AI reports, it adds a strong degree of conviction to a statement.

Expression frequency: Uncommon

Frequent in

News & Media

85%

Formal & Business

5%

Wiki

3%

Less common in

Science

3%

Reference

2%

Encyclopedias

2%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "be damned sure" is an emphatic expression used to convey a strong sense of certainty or necessity. Ludwig AI confirms that it's grammatically correct but advises caution in formal settings due to its informal nature. While common in news and media, it's less appropriate for academic or professional contexts where more formal alternatives like "be absolutely certain" or "ensure that" are preferred. Remember to use this phrase judiciously, considering your audience and the overall tone of your writing.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

Be dead certain

This alternative maintains a similar level of intensity and informality.

Be completely sure

This option replaces "damned" with "completely", reducing the intensity but maintaining the core meaning.

Be absolutely certain

This alternative is more formal and lacks the strong emotional tone of the original phrase.

Make absolutely sure

This version shifts the focus to the action of ensuring something is certain.

Be positively certain

Similar to "absolutely certain", this emphasizes the certainty without the profanity.

Be unequivocally sure

This adds a layer of formal emphasis to the certainty.

Be fully confident

This option focuses on confidence in the certainty of something, rather than just the certainty itself.

Be entirely convinced

This is a more formal way of expressing certainty, suitable for professional contexts.

Guarantee it

This is a shorter, more direct way of expressing strong assurance.

Bet your life on it

This alternative conveys a high degree of confidence through a hyperbolic expression.

FAQs

What does "be damned sure" mean?

The phrase "be damned sure" means to be absolutely certain or to take extreme care to ensure something happens. It's an emphatic way of expressing the importance of something.

When is it appropriate to use "be damned sure"?

It's appropriate to use "be damned sure" in informal settings when you want to emphasize your point. Avoid using it in formal or professional contexts where a more polite tone is necessary.

What can I say instead of "be damned sure"?

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

Is "be damned sure" grammatically correct?

Yes, "be damned sure" is grammatically correct, but it is an informal expression. It is acceptable in casual conversation but should be avoided in formal writing.