certain to win

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "certain to win" is correct and usable in written English.
You can use it to express confidence in the outcome of a competition or situation where success is expected. Example: "With their strong performance throughout the season, the team is certain to win the championship."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

It is not certain to win.

The Economist

Mr Moran is all but certain to win.

The Economist

The main Kurdish Peace and Democracy Party (BDP) seems certain to win seats.

The Economist

He rounded Cape Horn almost certain to win if he headed north back to Europe.

The Economist

The ruling African National Congress is certain to win but its majority may be reduced.

The Economist

This is largely because Mr Kwasniewski seems certain to win at a canter.

The Economist

Writer tells why she is certain to win at the polls.

The New Yorker

Republicans have chosen a ticket that seems certain to win one state -- Texas -- almost effortlessly.

The New York Times

Sam Rayburn quietly safeguarded his influence by avoiding political fights unless he was certain to win.

The New York Times

The frontrunner looks all but certain to win Florida, where 99 delegates are at stake.

The Guardian

The election, on March 14, is one Mr. Putin is certain to win.

The New York Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "certain to win" when you want to express a high degree of confidence in a future outcome. Ensure that the context supports such a strong assertion.

Common error

Avoid using "certain to win" when the outcome is still uncertain or dependent on several unpredictable factors. Overusing the phrase can undermine your credibility.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "certain to win" functions as a predictive adjective phrase, modifying a noun or pronoun to express a high degree of confidence in a future victory or success. It suggests an almost inevitable outcome, as supported by Ludwig's examples.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

87%

Formal & Business

7%

Science

6%

Less common in

Encyclopedias

0%

Wiki

0%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "certain to win" is a common and grammatically sound expression used to convey a high degree of confidence in a future victory or success. As confirmed by Ludwig AI, it is correct and widely used, particularly in news and media contexts. While interchangeable with alternatives like "guaranteed to succeed" or "assured of victory", it's crucial to avoid overstating certainty when the outcome remains uncertain. Employ this phrase judiciously to maintain credibility and convey assurance effectively.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

guaranteed to succeed

Emphasizes the assurance of success, similar to a warranty.

all but guaranteed a win

Expresses a very high probability of winning, almost a certainty.

assured of victory

Focuses on the victory aspect with a slightly more formal tone.

destined for triumph

Implies a preordained or inevitable success.

sure to prevail

Highlights the act of overcoming and being victorious.

bound to be the winner

Emphasizes the inevitability of winning.

highly likely to be victorious

Uses a more descriptive and less direct way of expressing near certainty.

virtually unbeatable

Focuses on the lack of competition and almost impossible odds of losing.

poised for success

Suggests readiness and favorable conditions leading to assured success.

with victory in the bag

An idiom suggesting that the victory is already secured.

FAQs

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

You can use "certain to win" to express confidence in an outcome, such as "Given their track record, the team is "certain to win" the championship".

What are some alternatives to "certain to win"?

Alternatives include "guaranteed to succeed", "assured of victory", or "destined for triumph", each carrying a slightly different nuance.

Is "certain to win" formal or informal?

The phrase "certain to win" is suitable for both formal and informal contexts. However, the overall tone of your writing should match the audience.

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

"Likely to win" suggests a high probability, while "certain to win" implies near or absolute assurance. The latter conveys a stronger conviction.