certain to happen

USAGE SUMMARY

"certain to happen" is correct and usable in written English.
You can use it to express absolute certainty that something will happen - for example, "The outcome of the test is certain to happen soon."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Encyclopedias

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

52 human-written examples

This is almost certain to happen.

The Guardian - Opinion

They are, however, certain to happen.

The Guardian

Given its bankruptcy, that is now certain to happen.

The New York Times

But that is all but certain to happen.

The New York Times

But with presidential and parliamentary elections looming, neither is certain to happen.

The Economist

Something rare, and rather precious, seems certain to happen at Anfield on Saturday afternoon.

The Guardian - Sport

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

8 human-written examples

You allow certain people to be in your life, and you allow certain behaviors to happen simply by being around certain people.

WikiHow

I expect certain things from other people, or certain things to happen for me, because I think I deserve it.

Huffington Post

That is almost certain not to happen.

The New York Times

It's the most certain thing to happen in our lives.

The New York Times

It's the public who need to give permission for certain things to happen and not just be informed later".

The Guardian

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "certain to happen" when you want to convey a high degree of confidence that an event will occur. It's stronger than "likely" but not always appropriate for situations with any degree of uncertainty.

Common error

Avoid using "certain to happen" when the outcome is merely probable, not definite. Overusing the phrase can undermine your credibility if events prove otherwise.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "certain to happen" functions as an adjectival phrase modifying an implied noun (event, outcome, etc.). It indicates a high degree of probability or inevitability. Ludwig AI confirms this is correct and usable in written English.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

68%

Science

15%

Encyclopedias

3%

Less common in

Formal & Business

3%

Wiki

1%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "certain to happen" is a commonly used phrase to express a high degree of confidence in a future event. According to Ludwig AI, it is grammatically correct and widely applicable in written English. While versatile, it's crucial to avoid overstating certainty and to consider less formal alternatives in casual contexts. Predominantly found in news and media, scientific sources, and encyclopedias, this phrase effectively conveys conviction and assurance.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

inevitable

A single-word substitute conveying the same meaning of unavoidable occurrence.

unavoidable

Highlights the impossibility of preventing the event.

bound to occur

Replaces "certain" with "bound", emphasizing inevitability but with a slightly less formal tone.

definitely going to happen

Adds emphasis with "definitely" but is slightly more verbose.

sure to take place

Substitutes "happen" with "take place", making the phrase slightly more formal.

a foregone conclusion

Indicates that the outcome is already decided or predictable.

virtually guaranteed

Conveys a very high degree of certainty, though not absolute.

destined to be

Implies a preordained nature to the event, adding a sense of fate.

assuredly coming

Emphasizes the certainty and imminence of the event.

guaranteed to transpire

Replaces both "certain" and "happen" with stronger, more formal synonyms.

FAQs

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

You can use "certain to happen" to express confidence about a future event. For example, "Given the current trends, a market correction is "certain to happen" soon."

What's a less formal way to say "certain to happen"?

Alternatives include phrases like "bound to occur", or "definitely going to happen", which may be more appropriate in casual conversation.

Is "certain to happen" stronger than "likely to happen"?

Yes, "certain to happen" implies a higher degree of confidence than "likely to happen". "Likely" suggests a high probability, while "certain" suggests virtual inevitability.

When should I avoid using "certain to happen"?

Avoid using "certain to happen" when there's a reasonable possibility the event might not occur. It's best reserved for situations where the outcome is virtually assured.