certain to

USAGE SUMMARY

"certain to" is a correct and usable phrase in written English.
You can use it to express something that is sure to happen. Example: The forecast is certain to bring more rain.

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Wiki

Formal & Business

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

58 human-written examples

That is certain to change.

Independent

He is certain to have taken note.

The Economist

Relations are almost certain to worsen.

The New York Times

Our proposal is certain to raise objections.

The New York Times

Their numbers seem certain to grow.

The New York Times

The findings are certain to stir debate.

The New York Times

It now appears certain to become law.

The New York Times

The exodus now seems certain to accelerate.

The Economist

But an offering looks certain to succeed.

The Economist

It is not certain to win.

The Economist

But the euro is certain to fail.

The New York Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "certain to" when you want to convey a high degree of confidence about a future event. Ensure the context supports such certainty.

Common error

Avoid using "certain to" when the outcome is merely probable or likely, as it can undermine your credibility if the event does not occur.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "certain to" functions as a modal expression indicating a high degree of probability or inevitability regarding a future event or outcome. It modifies a verb to convey strong assurance, as exemplified by Ludwig's examples.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

63%

Wiki

7%

Formal & Business

3%

Less common in

Science

1%

Encyclopedias

0%

Social Media

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "certain to" is a grammatically correct and frequently used phrase to express a high degree of confidence in a future event. Ludwig AI confirms its proper usage across varied contexts, particularly in news and media. While versatile, it's crucial to avoid overstating certainty when the outcome is merely probable. Alternatives such as "sure to" or "likely to" offer nuanced expressions of probability. By understanding its function, purpose, and appropriate contexts, writers can effectively leverage "certain to" to convey assuredness and precision in their communication.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

sure to

A more concise alternative, suitable for most contexts where "certain to" is used. It slightly reduces the emphasis on absolute certainty.

bound to

Indicates a strong likelihood or inevitability, often due to natural causes or inherent properties.

guaranteed to

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

destined to

Suggests that an event is predetermined or inevitable, often with a sense of fate or destiny.

set to

Describes something scheduled or arranged to happen, reducing the emphasis on absolute certainty.

likely to

Expresses a high probability but acknowledges a degree of uncertainty.

poised to

Indicates readiness or preparation for an imminent event, adding a sense of anticipation.

expected to

Reflects an anticipated outcome based on current trends or expectations, implying some degree of uncertainty.

unquestionably

Emphasizes the lack of doubt or debate, focusing on the certainty of an outcome.

without a doubt

Highlights the absence of any uncertainty or hesitation, stressing the confidence in a prediction.

FAQs

How to use "certain to" in a sentence?

Use "certain to" followed by a verb to express a high degree of confidence about a future event. For example, "The new policy is certain to raise objections".

What can I say instead of "certain to"?

You can use alternatives like "sure to", "bound to", or "likely to" depending on the level of certainty you want to convey.

Which is correct, "certain to" or "certain that"?

"Certain to" is followed by a verb (e.g., "certain to happen"), while "certain that" is followed by a clause (e.g., "certain that it will happen"). Both are grammatically correct, but they have different structures.

What's the difference between "certain to" and "likely to"?

"Certain to" implies a very high degree of confidence, almost inevitability, while "likely to" suggests a high probability but acknowledges some possibility of an alternative outcome.