certain enough

USAGE SUMMARY

"certain enough" is correct and usable in written English.
It generally means that something is certain or definite. For example, "The weather report says it's supposed to snow tomorrow - certain enough for me to buy a new coat!".

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Wiki

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

22 human-written examples

Those details, at least, seem certain enough.

The New York Times

The company said it was no longer certain enough of its outlook to provide earnings guidance for the year.

The New York Times

As Bree struggles to decide if she's certain enough to make a life with Lara over her conservative family's objections, the complications of her situation ring true.

The New York Times - Books

In 1884, Abraham Vanderbeck, a meat dealer, was certain enough of the value of his house, No. 151, to add the unusual mansard roof.

The New York Times

"I Am Sam" feels sufficiently good about itself, certain enough of its sympathy for its title character, to allow itself to make fun of him and his friends.

The New York Times

The company said it was no longer certain enough of its outlook to provide earnings guidance for the year, backing away even from the bleak revisions it made last month.

The New York Times

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

36 human-written examples

"At a certain point, enough is enough and somebody has to say something," Watts said.

Los Angeles Times

Except that, for certain chefs, enough is never enough.

The Guardian - Lifestyle

Chapala, which hit southern Yemen with exceptional intensity on November 3, left close to 200mm of rain in certain areas, enough to possibly keep the soil moist enough for female locust to deposit eggs for six months, said Cressman.

Vice

He said he was certain that enough money to buy the painting could have been raised this summer.

The New York Times

Egypt's reserves of foreign currency have fallen from a peak of about $36 billion before the revolution to about $10 billion, after certain obligations, enough to cover just two months of imports.

The New York Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "certain enough", consider including additional context to clarify what the subject is certain about. This provides better understanding.

Common error

Avoid using "certain enough" when the situation demands absolute certainty. Overstating certainty can lead to miscommunication or incorrect assumptions.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "certain enough" functions as an adjectival phrase modifying a noun or pronoun, indicating a sufficient level of confidence or assurance. This level justifies a decision or action, without implying absolute certainty. Ludwig's AI confirms its proper usage.

Expression frequency: Common

Frequent in

News & Media

58%

Science

29%

Wiki

8%

Less common in

Formal & Business

4%

Academia

1%

Encyclopedias

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "certain enough" is a commonly used phrase that expresses a sufficient level of confidence or assurance. As Ludwig AI confirms, it's grammatically correct and appropriate in various contexts, particularly in news and media. When using "certain enough", it's crucial to consider the level of certainty required by the situation and avoid overstating confidence when absolute certainty is needed. Alternative phrases such as "sufficiently certain" or "reasonably sure" can be used to fine-tune the degree of certainty expressed. The phrase strikes a balance between assurance and acknowledgement of potential uncertainty, making it valuable in decision-making and communication.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

sufficiently certain

Replaces "enough" with "sufficiently" implying an adequate level of certainty.

quite certain

Replaces "enough" with "quite", intensifying the degree of certainty.

absolutely sure

Emphasizes the certainty by using "absolutely".

reasonably sure

Uses "reasonably sure" to convey a moderate degree of confidence.

fairly confident

Employs "fairly confident" to indicate a notable level of assurance.

assured enough

Replaces "certain" with "assured", indicating a feeling of confidence and security.

comfortably certain

Indicates a level of certainty that brings comfort.

positive enough

Uses "positive enough" to suggest a confident outlook or expectation.

firmly convinced

Expresses a strong belief or assurance about something.

decidedly certain

Adds emphasis to the certainty with "decidedly".

FAQs

How can I use "certain enough" in a sentence?

You can use "certain enough" to express a degree of confidence that justifies a decision or action. For example, "I'm "convinced enough" to invest in this company".

What are some alternatives to saying "certain enough"?

Alternatives include "sufficiently certain", "reasonably sure", or "fairly confident", depending on the specific nuance you want to convey.

Is it better to say "certain enough" or "absolutely certain"?

"Certain enough" implies a degree of acceptable uncertainty, whereas "absolutely certain" suggests complete and unwavering confidence. Choose the phrase that accurately reflects the level of certainty in your statement.

What's the difference between "certain enough" and "convinced enough"?

"Certain enough" relates to the level of certainty about a fact or outcome, while "convinced enough" implies that you have been persuaded to believe something. For example, "I'm "certain enough" that the weather will be good, but I'm not "convinced enough" to leave my umbrella at home".