certain by

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase 'certain by' is not correct usage in standard written English.
You may be thinking of 'certainly by', which means 'without a doubt by' a certain time or deadline. For example, "I will certainly have finished this project by next Monday."

⚠ May contain grammatical issues

News & Media

Science

Encyclopedias

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

37 human-written examples

Azzam was assassinated in 1989, nobody knows for certain by whom.

The Guardian

He's been shadowed since his arrival, he's quit certain, by the local agents of the Ogpu.

The New Yorker

The life and death of Anna Nicole Smith.14103DEAD CERTAIN, by Robert Draper.

The New York Times

Only Peterson knew the answer, and he was certain by Thursday afternoon.

The New York Times - Sports

Gore was certain by then that if he was healthy he could still be productive.

The New York Times - Sports

The origins of the cope are not known for certain by liturgical scholars.

Encyclopedia Britannica

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

21 human-written examples

Hence, this research aims to reuse certain by-products for the development of CMUs with better thermal properties.

Construction and Building Materials

Second, fructose forms an equilibrium mixture of difructoses and dianhydrides and thus internally blocks most reactive groups, leading to the formation of certain by-products.

Chemistry Central Journal

The e-liquid samples were also found to contain an "acutely toxic" chemical known as 2-chlorophenol, which is typically found in insecticides, herbicides, and disinfectants as well as certain "by-products of animal or human bodily function".

Vice

The council deals with a variety of local issues such as outdoor patio applications, neighbourhood traffic plans, and exemptions from certain by-laws such as retail signs, fences, trees and ravines.

Wikipedia

Ardies [ 15] suggests that infection or toxic chemicals can incite a vigorous inflammatory reaction in the airways, producing certain by-products that may promote carcinogenesis.

BMC Pulmonary Medicine

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When aiming for clarity, replace "certain by" with more grammatically accepted alternatives like "certainly by" or restructure the sentence to ensure correct usage. For instance, use "almost certain by" or rephrase to eliminate the need for the phrase.

Common error

Avoid using "certain by" when you mean to express certainty regarding a deadline. Instead, use "certainly by" or rephrase to use "certain" followed by a more appropriate preposition like "of".

Linguistic Context

The phrase "certain by" primarily functions as a descriptor of a state or event anticipated to occur by a specific time or condition, aiming to convey assurance. Ludwig AI notes that this phrase is not grammatically correct in standard English, impacting its formal usage.

Expression frequency: Common

Frequent in

News & Media

45%

Science

35%

Encyclopedias

20%

Less common in

Formal & Business

0%

Wiki

0%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "certain by" attempts to express assurance or expectation that something will occur by a specific time or condition. However, Ludwig AI points out that it is generally considered grammatically not correct in standard written English. While it appears in various sources like news media, science and encyclopedias, its grammatical ambiguity makes it less suitable for formal contexts. For clarity and correctness, it is recommended to use alternatives such as "certainly by" or restructure your sentence to align with standard English conventions. Pay special attention to your register and rephrase when writing in a formal or academic context to maintain correctness.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

assured by

Indicates being reassured or guaranteed by something, shifting the focus to the source of assurance.

guaranteed by

Implies a formal assurance or warranty, suggesting a higher level of certainty.

surely by

Adds emphasis to the certainty of an action happening by a certain time.

determined by

Highlights the aspect of something being decided or influenced by a particular factor.

confirmed by

Implies validation or verification through evidence or testimony.

undoubtedly by

Conveys a sense of something that will occur without any doubt by a specific time.

known by

Emphasizes recognition or identification through specific attributes or characteristics.

established by

Suggests something is proven or validated through a specific method or time.

decided by

Emphasizes the act of making a choice or resolution about something.

fixed by

Highlights a set or unchangeable deadline

FAQs

What does "certainly by" mean?

"Certainly by" indicates that something will definitely happen on or before a specific time or date. It emphasizes the assurance of an event's completion within a defined timeframe.

How can I rephrase a sentence using "certain by" to make it grammatically correct?

Instead of "certain by", you could use "certainly by" to denote assurance by a specific time, or rephrase the sentence to use "certain" correctly, such as "I am certain of the outcome".

Is "certain by" grammatically correct?

The phrase "certain by" is generally considered grammatically not correct in standard English. It's often better to use "certainly by" or rephrase the sentence for clarity.

What are some alternatives to "certain by" that convey a similar meaning?

Alternatives include "assured by", "guaranteed by", or restructuring the sentence to use "confident of" depending on the intended context.