be more certain of

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase 'be more certain of' is correct and can be used in written English.
You can use it to describe having greater confidence in something or someone. For example, "I have studied the facts, and I am more certain of my stance on the matter."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Academia

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

19 human-written examples

There are many other ways to be more certain of making money.

The Guardian

The strong creationist may not be totally convinced, while the weak creationist might be more certain of her vaguer position.

The Guardian - Opinion

So I was looking at Craigslist and also looking for large apartment complexes, because I wanted also to be more certain of what I would find.

Cornell University

I gallantly negotiated a peace pact, by which I mean I claimed those morsels for myself, maintaining that I needed to be more certain of the dish's delights.

The New York Times - Food

The only way that workers can be more certain of their rights is by having an organization dedicated to protecting them; the only way we will have any kind of dependable health care is by collectively arranging for it.

The New Yorker

By cutting tariffs in a predictable fashion in future, he said solar power developers could be more certain of making a sufficient profit margin, and households could expect a return on their investments in panels of about 5%.

The Guardian

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

41 human-written examples

Bobby Richardson was more certain of his role.

The New York Times

We're more certain of that first step".

The New York Times - Sports

Wallace was more certain of his literary approach than he had been when he published "Broom".

The New Yorker

Historians are more certain of Johnson's music career, which, while short, burned bright.

The New Yorker

I've never been more certain of anything in all my battery life.

The New Yorker

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "be more certain of" when you want to emphasize an increase in confidence or assurance regarding a specific matter. For instance, "After reviewing the data, I can be more certain of the project's success."

Common error

Avoid using "be more certain of" when you actually mean something is more likely or possible, not definitively confirmed. For example, instead of saying "I am more certain of rain tomorrow", it's more accurate to say "I believe there is a higher chance of rain tomorrow".

Linguistic Context

The phrase "be more certain of" primarily functions as a verbal phrase indicating an increase in confidence, assurance, or conviction. Ludwig AI confirms its correct usage across varied contexts.

Expression frequency: Common

Frequent in

News & Media

50%

Science

31%

Academia

9%

Less common in

Encyclopedias

3%

Wiki

3%

Formal & Business

1%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "be more certain of" is a versatile expression used to convey increased confidence or assurance. Ludwig AI confirms that the phrase is grammatically correct and commonly used across a variety of contexts, including news, science, and academia. As demonstrated by Ludwig's examples, this expression is useful for describing a shift toward greater conviction. To avoid misuse, ensure that you're talking about a definite confirmation rather than a mere possibility. Alternatives such as "be more assured of" and "be more confident about" can also be used to express similar meanings.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

be more assured of

Focuses on having increased assurance or confidence.

be more confident about

Emphasizes greater confidence in a specific area.

have greater conviction in

Highlights a stronger belief or conviction.

feel more sure about

Implies a stronger feeling of certainty.

be more convinced of

Stresses a higher degree of persuasiveness.

have more faith in

Suggests increased trust or reliance.

be more positive about

Expresses increased optimism and certainty.

be more definite about

Implies a clearer and more precise understanding.

be more satisfied that

Focuses on increased satisfaction due to certainty.

gain a stronger belief in

Focuses on getting a stronger feeling or perception of believing in something

FAQs

How can I use "be more certain of" in a sentence?

You can use "be more certain of" to express increased confidence or assurance in something. For example, "After conducting thorough research, I can "be more certain of" my conclusions."

What are some alternatives to "be more certain of"?

Alternatives include phrases like "be more assured of", "be more confident about", or "have greater conviction in", depending on the nuance you want to convey.

Is it better to say "be more certain of" or "be more sure of"?

Both ""be more certain of"" and "be more sure of" are grammatically correct and convey a similar meaning. The choice often depends on personal preference or stylistic context, although "be more certain of" might sound slightly more formal.

What's the difference between "be more certain of" and "be certain that"?

"Be more certain of" typically refers to a specific thing or outcome, whereas "be certain that" introduces a clause or statement. For example, "I can "be more certain of" success" versus "I can be certain that the project will succeed".