but not certainly

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "but not certainly" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used when expressing uncertainty or doubt about a statement or situation. Example: "The results indicate a trend, but not certainly a definitive conclusion."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Wiki

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

16 human-written examples

Perhaps, but not certainly so.

The Economist

So possibly, but not certainly.

The Guardian - Tech

The figure is probably male, but not certainly.

Independent

Best to leave him probably, but not certainly, dead.

The New York Times

"The Taliban may be down but not certainly out," said Omar R. Qureshi, the opinion pages editor of The Express Tribune, an English-language newspaper based in Karachi.

The New York Times

Mr Jansa could be freed on appeal, but for the time being he tweets bitterly from jail.The coalition will probably, but not certainly, include the pensioners' party.

The Economist

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

43 human-written examples

Maybe not, but it certainly helps.

The New York Times - Arts

It may be down, but it's not certainly not out.(Picture credit: AFP).

The Economist

But they can't certainly know.

The Guardian

Not good, but certainly not dead in the water.

Forbes

Not perfect, but certainly not as bad as before.

TechCrunch

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "but not certainly", ensure the sentence provides context about what is known or likely, so the uncertainty is clearly understood. This prevents misinterpretation and strengthens the overall argument.

Common error

Avoid excessive hedging. Using too many phrases like "but not certainly" can make your writing appear weak and indecisive. Try to balance uncertainty with clear statements based on available evidence.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "but not certainly" functions as a hedge, softening a statement and expressing a degree of uncertainty or reservation. It indicates that while something is possible or likely, it is not guaranteed. As confirmed by Ludwig, the phrase is correct and usable.

Expression frequency: Uncommon

Frequent in

News & Media

73%

Science

18%

Wiki

9%

Less common in

Formal & Business

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Social Media

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "but not certainly" is a grammatically sound and useful expression for conveying uncertainty or reservation. Ludwig AI confirms its correctness. Its usage spans various domains, particularly news and media, where objectivity and cautious statements are valued. Although not as common as some other hedging phrases, "but not certainly" provides a clear way to qualify a statement and avoid overstatement. When using it, ensure surrounding sentences provide context and avoid overusing similar hedging terms to keep your writing concise and impactful.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

though not definitively

Replaces "certainly" with "definitively", emphasizing the lack of a final or conclusive aspect.

although not definitely

Interchanges "but" with "although" and replaces "certainly" with "definitely" maintaining a sense of doubt.

yet not conclusively

Uses "yet" instead of "but", and "conclusively" instead of "certainly", focusing on the absence of a final conclusion.

however, not assuredly

Replaces "but" with "however" and "certainly" with "assuredly", suggesting a lack of confidence or guarantee.

still not positively

Replaces "but" with "still" and "certainly" with "positively", indicating that something is not yet confirmed or beyond doubt.

though it's not guaranteed

Changes the structure to a clause emphasizing the lack of a guarantee.

while it remains unproven

Replaces the entire phrase with a clause pointing out the lack of proof.

even if not beyond doubt

Emphasizes that something might still be questionable.

albeit not for sure

Uses "albeit" to introduce a condition of uncertainty.

if not irrefutably

Highlights the absence of something being unquestionably true.

FAQs

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

Use "but not certainly" to express uncertainty or doubt about a statement. For example, "The data suggests a correlation, but not certainly a causation."

What are some alternatives to "but not certainly"?

Alternatives include phrases like "though not definitively", "although not definitely", or "yet not conclusively" depending on the specific nuance you want to convey.

Is it redundant to use "but not certainly" after a phrase that already implies uncertainty?

While not strictly redundant, using "but not certainly" after a phrase already implying uncertainty (like "possibly" or "probably") can sometimes be unnecessary. Consider whether the added emphasis is truly needed for clarity.

What's the difference between "but not certainly" and "but not necessarily"?

"But not certainly" indicates doubt about whether something is true or will happen. "But not necessarily" means something is not always the case, even if it's sometimes true. For example, "He's a talented player, but not necessarily a team leader" versus "He might win the award, but not certainly".