but certainly when

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "but certainly when" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to introduce a condition or situation that is acknowledged with certainty, often in a discussion or argument. Example: "I understand your concerns, but certainly when we consider the long-term benefits, the decision becomes clearer."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Academia

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

33 human-written examples

But certainly when you look at this incident, there are some things we can learn and evaluate.

The New York Times - Sports

But, certainly, when Central Asia emerged in '91 of five independent states, the majority of the population knew very little about Islam and their history.

University of California, Berkeley

"I don't know that you can say that any one meeting tips the balance, but certainly when the C.E.O.

The New York Times

There's Jack Russell too: not so much when facing the spinners but certainly when standing up to the quicks.

The Guardian - Sport

"But certainly when I first went in I think it is right to say that I was, you know, I was pretty young.

Independent

"Obviously not in terms of our league position but certainly when it comes to the players, their attitude and their quality".

The Guardian - Sport

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

27 human-written examples

Based on a literal translation (actors read the text verbatim) of the first chapter of the book, the show was, I found, anything but literal, certainly when it came to casting: female actors played male characters, white people played blacks, and the conversation crossed over years, through various emotional disturbances and changes of heart.

The New Yorker

A year is a long time, perhaps not in politics, but most certainly when it comes to the politics of equality.

Huffington Post

But that is certainly when tattoos entered wider circulation, carried by currents of trade and conquest, from port to port.

The New York Times - Arts

But they do not, certainly when it comes to dealing with big third countries, from Russia to China to America.In Europe, it is rarely enough to show that the union, in aggregate, will gain from a given policy.

The Economist

"Life's moved on," he said this week of overcoming such tragedies, but it is different, certainly, when Barbaro was once yours.

Los Angeles Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "but certainly when" to introduce a situation where a degree of certainty is present, especially to counter an earlier statement. For example, "I understand the risks, but certainly when the benefits are considered, it becomes a worthwhile endeavor."

Common error

Avoid overusing "certainly" in your writing. While "but certainly when" is grammatically correct, too many instances of "certainly" can make your writing sound repetitive. Consider varying your phrasing with alternatives like "however, surely when" or "yet definitely when".

Linguistic Context

The phrase "but certainly when" functions as a conjunctive adverbial phrase, connecting two clauses while emphasizing the certainty of the condition introduced by the second clause. Ludwig AI provides examples from diverse sources illustrating this usage.

Expression frequency: Common

Frequent in

News & Media

75%

Academia

12%

Science

8%

Less common in

Formal & Business

3%

Wiki

2%

Social Media

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "but certainly when" is a grammatically correct and frequently used conjunctive phrase that introduces a condition or situation acknowledged with certainty. Ludwig AI confirms that its purpose is to present a contrasting point with assurance, as seen across various contexts like News & Media, Academia, and Science. The phrase maintains a neutral tone, making it suitable for both formal and informal registers. While useful, be mindful of overusing "certainly" and explore alternatives such as "however, surely when" or "yet definitely when" to enrich your writing. The phrase is helpful when aiming to establish a confident viewpoint or reinforce an argument, according to Ludwig.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

however, surely when

Replaces "but certainly" with "however, surely", maintaining a similar level of emphasis on certainty.

yet definitely when

Substitutes "but certainly" with "yet definitely", emphasizing the definitive nature of the condition.

though undoubtedly when

Replaces "but certainly" with "though undoubtedly", stressing the lack of doubt surrounding the condition.

although assuredly when

Uses "although assuredly" instead of "but certainly", giving a more formal tone while still conveying certainty.

nonetheless, surely as

Employs "nonetheless, surely as" to replace the original phrase, focusing on the assured nature of the subsequent event.

still, with certainty, when

Inserts "with certainty" to explicitly state the assuredness of the condition, separated for emphasis.

even so, undoubtedly when

Combines "even so" and "undoubtedly" to highlight the contrast and the certainty.

but indeed when

Replaces "certainly" with "indeed", offering a slightly more understated affirmation of the condition.

yet without question when

Uses "without question" to strongly affirm the certainty of the condition.

however, inevitably when

Emphasizes the unavoidable nature of the condition with "inevitably".

FAQs

How can I use "but certainly when" in a sentence?

The phrase "but certainly when" is used to introduce a situation that is acknowledged with certainty, often contrasting a previous statement. For example: "The initial investment is high, but certainly when we consider the long-term gains, the decision is justified."

What are some alternatives to using "but certainly when"?

You can use alternatives like "however, surely when", "yet definitely when", or "though undoubtedly when" depending on the context and desired emphasis.

Is "but certainly when" formal or informal?

The phrase "but certainly when" is suitable for both formal and informal contexts. Its usage depends more on the overall tone of the writing rather than the setting.

Can I start a sentence with "but certainly when"?

While grammatically possible, starting a sentence with "but certainly when" might sound awkward. It's generally better to use it within a sentence to connect contrasting ideas.