certain of

USAGE SUMMARY

"certain of" is correct and can be used in written English.
You can use it to refer to something or someone that you are confident or sure about, like in the sentence: "I am certain of my ability to succeed."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Formal & Business

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

57 human-written examples

Nothing is certain, of course.

The Economist

Lisette was certain of that.

The New Yorker

They were certain of victory.

The Economist

"They were certain of it".

The New York Times

But she is certain of one thing.

The New York Times

I — that I'm pretty certain of.

The New York Times

Certain of its properties are known, though.

The New Yorker

I'm not certain of the etiquette.

The Guardian - Lifestyle

Alexander seemed certain of what he wanted.

The New York Times - Sports

But Anderson seemed certain of one thing.

The New York Times - Sports

Certain of these ideas are radio waves.

The New York Times - Arts

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "certain of" to express a strong belief or conviction based on evidence or personal experience. For example, "I am certain of the facts presented in this report."

Common error

While "certain of" is perfectly acceptable, overuse can make your writing sound repetitive. Vary your language by using synonyms like "sure about", "confident in", or "convinced of" to maintain reader engagement.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "certain of" functions as an adjective phrase, modifying a noun or pronoun to indicate a state of being sure or confident about something. Ludwig confirms its grammatical correctness and common usage.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

60%

Science

20%

Formal & Business

10%

Less common in

Encyclopedias

3%

Wiki

3%

Reference

4%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "certain of" is a versatile and grammatically sound phrase used to express confidence or assurance. As Ludwig highlights, it's widely employed across diverse contexts, from formal news reports to everyday conversations. While highly prevalent, varying your vocabulary with synonyms like "sure about" or "confident in" can enhance your writing style. Ludwig's examples and analysis underscore the phrase's reliability and appropriateness in expressing a firm belief or conviction.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

sure about

Emphasizes a sense of conviction or confidence regarding something.

confident in

Focuses on having strong belief or trust in something or someone.

convinced of

Implies a state of being persuaded or having a firm belief based on evidence or reasoning.

positive about

Suggests an optimistic and assured outlook regarding a particular matter.

assured of

Indicates a state of being guaranteed or promised something.

definite about

Implies a clear and unambiguous stance or decision regarding something.

undoubting of

Highlights a lack of skepticism or uncertainty about something.

unequivocal about

Expresses a clear and firm position without any room for doubt or misinterpretation.

without a doubt about

Emphasizes the absence of any uncertainty or hesitation regarding something.

beyond any question of

Suggests that something is so certain that it cannot be disputed or doubted.

FAQs

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

You can use "certain of" to express confidence or assurance about something. For example, "I am "certain of" my abilities" or "She is "certain of" his success".

What's the difference between "certain of" and "sure of"?

While both phrases express confidence, ""certain of"" often implies a stronger degree of conviction than "sure of". The choice depends on the context and the level of assurance you want to convey.

What are some alternatives to using "certain of" in my writing?

Depending on the context, you can use alternatives like "confident in", "convinced of", or "assured of" to express a similar meaning as ""certain of"".

Is it grammatically correct to say "certain of"?

Yes, it is grammatically correct. As Ludwig AI confirms, ""certain of"" is a standard and acceptable phrase in English writing.