but not certain

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "but not certain" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used when expressing doubt or ambiguity about a statement or situation. Example: "I believe the meeting is scheduled for tomorrow, but not certain."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Academia

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

But not certain?

The New Yorker

Easier, but not certain.

The Economist

Likely – but not certain.

The Guardian - Books

Probable, but not certain.

The Guardian - Opinion

It called that likelihood moderately high, but not certain.

The New York Times

A full-scale Congressional backlash is possible, but not certain.

The Economist

Of this, he is hopeful but not certain.

The New York Times - Sports

One winner is possible in clubs, but not certain.

The New York Times

Legislation is possible before the election but not certain.

The Guardian

Such teleconnections are likely during El Niño events, but not certain.

Columbia University

A pro-union "no" vote on September 18th looks probable but not certain.

The Economist

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "but not certain" to express a degree of possibility or likelihood without making a definitive statement. It's ideal when presenting balanced perspectives or acknowledging uncertainty.

Common error

Avoid using "but not certain" when the context requires a stronger statement of fact or conclusion. If sufficient evidence supports a definitive statement, opt for more decisive language.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "but not certain" functions as a qualifier, mitigating the strength of a preceding statement. It indicates that while something is possible or probable, it is not guaranteed or definite. As Ludwig AI confirms, the phrase is grammatically correct and commonly used.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

61%

Science

22%

Academia

17%

Less common in

Formal & Business

0%

Wiki

0%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "but not certain" is a versatile phrase used to express uncertainty or to qualify a statement. As Ludwig AI confirms, the phrase is grammatically sound and finds frequent application across diverse contexts. It is particularly common in News & Media, Science and Academia. To enhance writing, employ "but not certain" to temper assertions or acknowledge potential variability in outcomes. However, refrain from using it where a more affirmative declaration is warranted. Consider synonyms like "though uncertain" or "yet not assured" for varied expressions.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

though uncertain

Replaces the conjunction "but" with "though" and simplifies the phrase.

yet not assured

Substitutes "certain" with "assured", conveying a slightly stronger sense of doubt.

however, it's not definite

Uses "however" to introduce a contrast and replaces "certain" with "definite" for emphasis.

while possible, it's not guaranteed

Emphasizes possibility while highlighting the lack of guarantee.

conceivable, but unlikely

Highlights possibility but asserts a low probability.

potentially, but without assurance

Uses "potentially" to suggest possibility but stresses the absence of assurance.

perhaps, though it remains to be seen

Indicates possibility with "perhaps" and emphasizes the uncertainty of the outcome.

it may happen, but don't count on it

Expresses possibility while advising against reliance on the outcome.

a chance exists, but it's remote

Acknowledges the existence of a chance but indicates its remoteness.

not necessarily so

Directly expresses that something is not required to be true.

FAQs

How can I use "but not certain" in a sentence?

Use "but not certain" to indicate a possibility or likelihood that is not guaranteed. For example, "The forecast predicts rain, "but not certain"."

What's a formal alternative to "but not certain"?

In formal contexts, consider using phrases such as "however, it remains uncertain" or "while possible, it is not assured" instead of "but not certain".

Is it redundant to use "but not certain"?

No, "but not certain" is not inherently redundant. The "but" introduces a contrast to a previous statement of possibility or likelihood, and "not certain" clarifies the degree of uncertainty.

How does "but not certain" differ from "but unlikely"?

"But not certain" suggests a possibility that could still happen, whereas "but unlikely" implies a low probability, indicating that something is improbable.