become certain

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "become certain" is correct and can be used in written English.
It means to change or develop into a state of being certain, or to become sure of something. It can be used in various situations to express the process of becoming certain about something. Here are a few examples: - After conducting multiple experiments, the scientist had enough evidence to become certain about the effectiveness of the new drug. - As we continue our investigations, more details have emerged that have helped us become certain of the suspect's guilt. - It took me a while to become certain about my career choice, but now I am confident and happy with my decision. - The constant reassurance from her friends and family helped Jane become certain of her self-worth and overcome her insecurities. - Despite the initial doubts and uncertainties, the company's success over the years has become certain and undeniable.

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Encyclopedias

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

18 human-written examples

What Fiat will add to them is yet to become certain.

Independent

You get stuck in ruts and you become certain that nothing will ever be any different.

The Guardian - Lifestyle

You become certain, as you look at him, that we spent too long with the problems of his scrawny little career.

The Guardian

In the nine-year course of writing this book, I have become certain of one thing: that women cannot be free of male dominance without challenging the men of one's own ethnic group and destroying their authority.

The Guardian - Books

About four times a week I become certain that one of my two cats has either run away or somehow become trapped in a wall or inside a major appliance.

The New York Times - Tech

One thing has become certain: Darfur civilians, women and girls in particular, can ill afford a second year of a still understaffed peacekeeping force that is handicapped by political delays.

The New York Times

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

42 human-written examples

"Reasonable" becomes certain.

The New York Times

When another body is discovered, he becomes certain of it.

The Guardian - Books

And Camille becomes certain that her husband is hiding an affair.

The New York Times - Books

When the outcome became certain, the village was in shock: silenced by their own bravery.

The Guardian

"Well, this is soccer," one man said, shrugging, as defeat became certain.

The New York Times - Sports

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "become certain" to describe a gradual process of gaining confidence or assurance about something. For instance, "After analyzing the data, the scientists began to become certain of their hypothesis."

Common error

Avoid using "become certain" to describe an instantaneous realization. It implies a gradual process, so phrases like "immediately knew" or "instantly understood" are more appropriate for sudden events.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "become certain" functions as a verb phrase indicating a transition into a state of certainty. As illustrated in the examples provided by Ludwig, it often describes a gradual process or shift in understanding.

Expression frequency: Common

Frequent in

News & Media

40%

Science

30%

Encyclopedias

10%

Less common in

Wiki

10%

Formal & Business

5%

Social Media

5%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "become certain" is a versatile verb phrase used to describe the process of gaining confidence or assurance. Ludwig AI confirms its grammatical correctness and suitability for diverse contexts. As evidenced by the examples, this phrase is common in news, science, and encyclopedic sources, suggesting a neutral register. When using this phrase, remember that it indicates a gradual shift, making it unsuitable for describing instantaneous realizations. Consider alternatives like ""become sure"" or ""gain assurance"" depending on the specific nuance you want to convey.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

become sure

A more direct and simple alternative, conveying the same core meaning.

arrive at certainty

Implies the act of reaching a state of sureness.

grow confident

Emphasizes the gradual increase in confidence rather than the attainment of certainty.

ascertain for sure

Suggests a deliberate process of finding something out definitely.

gain assurance

Focuses on obtaining reassurance, implying a reduction of doubt.

establish with certainty

Highlights the action of proving something beyond any doubt.

determine conclusively

Implies settling something definitively, often through investigation or analysis.

develop conviction

Highlights the formation of a strong belief after a period of consideration.

reach a conclusion

Stresses the act of arriving at a judgment, which may or may not be certain.

realize the truth

Focuses on understanding or acknowledging a fact, often after a period of ignorance or doubt.

FAQs

How can I use "become certain" in a sentence?

Use "become certain" to describe a gradual increase in assurance or confidence. For example, "Through careful investigation, the detectives "become certain" of the suspect's identity".

What's a good alternative to "become certain"?

Alternatives to "become certain" include "become sure", "gain assurance", or "grow confident", each carrying slightly different nuances depending on the context.

Is it correct to say "became certain" instead of "become certain"?

Yes, "became certain" is the past tense of ""become certain"" and is appropriate when describing a past event. For example, "He "became certain" after reviewing the evidence".

What is the difference between "become certain" and "feel certain"?

"Become certain" describes a process of gaining assurance, while "feel certain" describes a state of mind or emotion. You might ""become certain"" through evidence, but you "feel certain" based on intuition or emotion.