be darn sure

USAGE SUMMARY

"be darn sure" is a common expression that is often used in written English.
It is a way to express intensity, and is often used to emphasize something. For example, "Be darn sure to read the instructions before using this product."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Academia

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

10 human-written examples

Publishers seek heartwarming pet stories, erotica, and female thriller writers with "a good work ethic": "Be darn sure that you can write a book a year".

The New Yorker

"We've got to be darn sure that we are not overreacting in a way that is removing lawful tools or setting conditions that would cause people to be hesitant and to second-guess and to think that we would not stand behind them if they're acting in good faith to do what is proper in this situation," General Schoomaker said.

The New York Times

"Well," I sniffed, "you can be darn sure that furious discussions are going on between our two countries".

Forbes

"If you're the patient in a telesurgery operation," observes Ed Lazowska, "you want to be darn sure that there are no latencies or system crashes".

Forbes

How does the solar wind accelerate away from the sun? "You're exploring unknown territory, and you can be darn sure there are some surprises waiting for us there," he said.

University of Chicago

If the S&P 500 reports flat-to-down earnings in the upcoming quarters rather than the near 20% increases many analysts expect, you can be darn sure the index's P/E of 27.5, still extremely high relative to past norms, will take a further hit.

Forbes

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

50 human-written examples

"There's a lot of demand for speed in revealing the result, which favours electronic voting, but if you're going to hold one you better be darned sure it works," he said.

BBC

And what the heck, we also say it's such a steal, you'd better be darned sure you really don't want one, because the Mini Cooper is the most seriously cool thing to come along in quite a while.

Forbes

We're going to see, because they're darn sure going to get that chance".

The New York Times - Sports

I'm not sure when there will be a rate cut by the Fed, but I'm darned sure the Fed won't put rates up anytime soon.

Forbes

My opinion (and you can take it or leave it) is that you better be pretty darn sure it's going to work out when you bring your kids into the mix.

Huffington Post

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "be darn sure" when you want to emphasize the importance of being certain about something, especially in informal contexts. For example, "If you're going to attempt this repair, be darn sure you have the right tools."

Common error

Avoid using "be darn sure" in formal writing or professional communications. While it's a valid expression, it can come across as too casual or unprofessional. Opt for more formal alternatives like "ensure" or "be certain" instead.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "be darn sure" primarily functions as an emphatic imperative, urging the listener or reader to ensure a specific outcome with certainty. It combines the force of an imperative with an intensifier to highlight the importance of the action.

Expression frequency: Uncommon

Frequent in

News & Media

47%

Huffington Post

24%

The New York Times

18%

Less common in

Science

5%

Academia

3%

Forbes

3%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "be darn sure" is an emphatic imperative phrase used to stress the importance of certainty in an action. Ludwig AI indicates it's a valid expression, and although grammatically correct, it is primarily employed in informal contexts. Its communicative purpose is to convey urgency and necessity, advising meticulous attention. While you'll find it across various sources, it's more frequent in News & Media, as shown in various examples from The New York Times, Huffington Post and Forbes. For formal settings, consider alternatives like "ensure" or "be absolutely certain" to maintain a professional tone.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

be absolutely certain

This alternative conveys a similar level of confidence but uses more formal language.

ensure without a doubt

This phrase shifts the focus to the act of ensuring something, emphasizing the removal of any uncertainty.

be completely positive

Similar in meaning, this option uses "positive" to highlight the lack of any negative possibility.

make no mistake

This is a slightly more forceful way of expressing certainty, implying a warning against misunderstanding.

rest assured

This alternative is used to reassure someone, indicating that they can be confident in a particular outcome.

be beyond any doubt

This option emphasizes the elimination of all possible doubts or questions.

take it as gospel

This phrase implies that something is undeniably true and should be accepted without question.

bank on it

An informal expression suggesting a very high degree of confidence in a particular outcome.

you can bet your life

A very strong and emphatic way of expressing certainty, often used in informal contexts.

count on it

This suggests a reliance on the truth or reliability of something.

FAQs

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

You can use "be darn sure" to emphasize the importance of being certain or taking precautions. For example, "Be darn sure you double-check the figures before submitting the report."

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

You can use alternatives like "be absolutely certain", "ensure without a doubt", or "be completely positive" depending on the context.

Is "be darn sure" appropriate for formal writing?

While grammatically correct, "be darn sure" is generally considered informal and may not be suitable for formal writing. Consider using more formal alternatives like "ensure" or "be certain".

What is the difference between "be darn sure" and "be damn sure"?

The phrases are very similar, with "darn" being a slightly milder euphemism for "damn". The choice between them depends on the desired level of emphasis and the context's tolerance for stronger language.