can know with certainty

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "can know with certainty" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used when expressing a strong belief or assurance about a fact or situation. Example: "After reviewing all the evidence, I can know with certainty that the project will be completed on time."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Academia

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

13 human-written examples

I doubt that we can know with certainty just what Iraqis may most yearn to enjoy.

The New York Times

"No one can know with certainty whether parents should prevail 20percentt or 50percentt of the time," Mr. Green said.

The New York Times

Yet charities chip away, and last week the Prison Reform Trust issued a summary of what we can know with certainty.

The Guardian - Opinion

Your code further confuses the issue by describing "ambiguous behavior" that "may be offensive whether or not it is harassment". No reasonable person can know with certainty precisely what speech is proscribed.

Massachusetts Institute of Technology

By acknowledging the limits of what we can know with certainty, we open ourselves up to a wider horizon of experience.

SEP

But none of us has direct access to the criminal investigation, and until the full evidence is presented, none of us can know with certainty what did or did not happen.

Duke University

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

47 human-written examples

"None of us can know with any certainty what might have stopped those shots from being fired, or what thoughts lurked in the inner recesses of a violent man's mind".

The New York Times

Incumbents can't be certain how or what these manufacturers will add to enter their markets, but they can know with absolute certainty that the disruptors are motivated to.

Harvard Business Review

On the Court's own test, the issue is whether Barenblatt can know with sufficient certainty, at the time of his interrogation, that there is so compelling a need for his replies that infringement of his rights of free association is justified.

Cornell University

What might be described as the myth of perfect democracy underlies not just a good deal of the nonsense of the past few weeks, but also many of the potential problems ahead.Begin with a simple fact: there is no way that any mortal can know with absolute certainty what the real result of this election was.

The Economist

Here are some reasons why we can know with some certainty that the secular bear market is not over.

Forbes

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "can know with certainty" to express a firm belief based on evidence or established knowledge. Be mindful of overstating claims, especially in fields where absolute certainty is difficult to achieve.

Common error

Avoid using "can know with certainty" when the situation involves predictions or subjective opinions. Reserve it for cases where the evidence strongly supports the conclusion.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "can know with certainty" functions as an epistemic modal phrase, expressing a high degree of confidence in the possibility of knowing something. Ludwig AI confirms its correct usage in written English.

Expression frequency: Common

Frequent in

News & Media

32%

Science

32%

Academia

21%

Less common in

Encyclopedias

8%

Wiki

3%

Formal & Business

2%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "can know with certainty" is a common and grammatically correct expression used to indicate a strong belief or assurance about a fact or situation. It appears frequently in News & Media, Science and Academia. As Ludwig AI highlights, this phrase is acceptable in written English when expressing confidence based on solid evidence. When using this phrase, be mindful of the context and avoid overstating claims, as true certainty is often elusive. Alternatives such as "can be absolutely sure" or "can be completely certain" can be used to convey similar meanings with slight variations in emphasis.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

can be completely certain

Similar to "can be absolutely sure", highlighting total confidence.

can be absolutely sure

Emphasizes absolute assurance rather than just certainty. Intensifies the level of confidence.

can establish beyond doubt

Highlights the removal of any doubt, stressing the strength of the evidence.

can ascertain with confidence

Replaces "know" with "ascertain", making it more formal and emphasizing the process of finding something out.

can determine definitively

Focuses on definitively establishing something, emphasizing a final and conclusive decision.

can say with conviction

Shifts the focus to the speaker's strong belief and confidence in their statement.

can affirm with assurance

Similar to "can say with conviction", highlighting the speaker's confidence.

can guarantee with confidence

Suggests a guarantee, implying a very high level of certainty and responsibility.

can predict with confidence

Focuses on the ability to predict a future event with a high level of certainty.

can be positive about

Indicates a feeling of confidence and optimism about something, often a future outcome.

FAQs

What does "can know with certainty" mean?

The phrase "can know with certainty" implies a strong level of confidence in the accuracy or truth of something, based on available evidence or understanding. It suggests that there is little to no doubt about a particular fact or outcome.

When is it appropriate to use the phrase "can know with certainty"?

Use "can know with certainty" when you have solid evidence or logical reasoning to support your claim. It's best suited for situations where there is a high degree of reliability and minimal chance of being wrong.

What are some alternatives to "can know with certainty"?

You can use alternatives like "can be absolutely sure", "can be completely certain", or "can ascertain with confidence" depending on the context.

Is "can know with certainty" the same as "is certain"?

While similar, "can know with certainty" emphasizes the ability to know something with confidence, whereas "is certain" simply states that something is definitely true. The former implies a basis for the certainty, while the latter is a statement of fact.