certain to get

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "certain to get" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used when expressing a high level of confidence that something will happen or be obtained. Example: "With her dedication and hard work, she is certain to get the promotion she deserves."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Academia

Formal & Business

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

But Medicaid looks certain to get bigger.

The Economist

That's certain to get the crowd going.

The New York Times

He is now almost certain to get the job.

The Economist

It is therefore certain to get politicians' attention.

The New York Times

Under Trump, the situation seems certain to get much worse.

The New Yorker

"We were certain to get the ball back with excellent field position".

The New York Times - Sports

Now that it seems less certain to get past the Supreme Court, Starr's concern seems prescient.

The New York Times - Books

Until the Taksim troubles he seemed certain to get the job.

The Economist

And before JPMorgan's losses were disclosed, the bankers were almost certain to get what they wanted.

The New York Times

They too are almost certain to get at least silver but gold is a real possibility.

The Guardian - Sport

And anyone who inherits the gene is absolutely certain to get the disease.

The New York Times - Science

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "certain to get", ensure that the context clearly supports the high degree of confidence you're expressing. Avoid using it when the outcome is merely probable, not highly likely.

Common error

Avoid using "certain to get" when the outcome is only a possibility or a hope. Overusing it can weaken your writing and make you appear less credible.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "certain to get" functions as an adjective phrase modifying a noun or pronoun, indicating a high probability or inevitability of obtaining something. As shown in Ludwig, it is used to express confidence in a future outcome.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

65%

Academia

18%

Formal & Business

7%

Less common in

Wiki

5%

Science

3%

Reference

2%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "certain to get" is a grammatically correct and commonly used expression to indicate a high degree of confidence that something will be obtained. According to Ludwig, it functions as an adjective phrase and is most frequently found in news and media contexts. While versatile, it's important to use it accurately, avoiding overstatement and ensuring the context justifies the strong assertion. Consider alternatives like "guaranteed to obtain" or "assured of receiving" to fine-tune your expression.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

guaranteed to obtain

Replaces 'certain' with 'guaranteed', emphasizing assurance, and 'get' with 'obtain', slightly more formal.

assured of receiving

Uses 'assured' instead of 'certain', and 'receiving' in place of 'get', providing a more formal tone.

bound to acquire

Employs 'bound' which suggests inevitability, and 'acquire' for a slightly more sophisticated synonym for 'get'.

sure to attain

Replaces "certain" with "sure", and "get" with "attain", suggesting achievement.

destined to receive

Indicates a predetermined outcome using 'destined', which implies fate or inevitability.

inevitably obtain

Replaces "certain to get" with "inevitably obtain", focusing on inevitability in receiving something.

slated to receive

Suggests a plan or arrangement is in place for receiving something, rather than simple certainty.

poised to gain

Implies readiness and potential for acquiring something; 'poised' suggests anticipation.

likely to secure

Focuses on the probability of obtaining something safely or firmly ('secure').

virtually assured of getting

Highlights near certainty with 'virtually assured', softening the absolute certainty.

FAQs

How can I use "certain to get" in a sentence?

Use "certain to get" to express a high degree of confidence that something will be obtained or happen. For instance, "With her qualifications, she is "certain to get" the job".

What are some alternatives to "certain to get"?

You can use alternatives like "guaranteed to obtain", "assured of receiving", or "bound to acquire" depending on the nuance you want to convey.

Is it more formal to say "certain to get" or "sure to obtain"?

"Sure to obtain" is generally considered more formal because "obtain" is a more formal synonym for "get". However, "certain to get" is widely acceptable and understandable across different registers.

When should I avoid using the phrase "certain to get"?

Avoid using "certain to get" when you want to express a possibility rather than a near certainty. In such cases, phrases like "likely to receive" or "might obtain" may be more appropriate.