certainly

USAGE SUMMARY

The word "certainly" is correct and usable in written English.
You can use it to express agreement or to emphasize an affirmative response. For example: "Will you be attending the party tomorrow night? ~ Certainly, I wouldn't miss it for the world!".

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

They certainly do.

The Guardian

Scotland's 56 SNP MPs will certainly seek to amend the legislation to ensure that young people are able to take part in the vote".

The Guardian

It certainly is.

The Economist

"Certainly not".

The New York Times

It certainly looks that way.

The New York Times - Sports

That's certainly true.

The New York Times

I certainly don't.

The New York Times

It's certainly not true that it found "only a quarter [of LGBT people] would wed", as the Mail said in its headline – and Catholic Voices said in their press release.

The Guardian

"It didn't get the strongest winds in the eye wall but it certainly got a period of nearly three hours of sustained gale force winds and wind gusts in the 95 to 100km/h range".

The Guardian

Most certainly".

The New York Times

This has certainly been the case for members of Norwich Business Women's Network (NBWN), founded 23 years ago and still going strong, with 80 members.

The Guardian

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Vary your vocabulary by using synonyms like "definitely" or "absolutely" to avoid repetition and maintain reader engagement.

Common error

Avoid using "certainly" too frequently in casual conversations or informal writing, as it can sound overly formal or stiff. In such situations, consider using more relaxed alternatives like "sure" or "definitely".

Linguistic Context

The adverb "certainly" functions primarily as an intensifier, expressing a strong affirmation or agreement. Examples from Ludwig illustrate its use to emphasize the truth or validity of a statement, aligning with Ludwig AI's assessment of its correctness.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

100%

Less common in

Science

0%

Formal & Business

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the adverb "certainly" is a grammatically sound and versatile word used to express strong agreement, affirmation, or emphasis. While appropriate in various contexts, it's crucial to consider the formality of the setting to avoid sounding stilted. Ludwig AI confirms its correctness, and numerous examples from Ludwig highlight its prevalence in reputable news sources. For alternative phrasing, consider "definitely", "absolutely", or "without a doubt".

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

absolutely

Stronger affirmation, conveying no doubt.

most definitely

Emphasizes the definiteness of the statement, adding extra weight.

without a doubt

Emphasizes the lack of uncertainty.

undoubtedly

Similar to "certainly" but can sound more formal.

definitely

Common alternative, slightly less formal.

of course

Expresses agreement in a more casual tone.

surely

Can also imply expectation or confidence.

indeed

Confirms a previous statement or adds emphasis.

assuredly

A more formal and emphatic affirmation.

indubitably

A more formal and less common way to say "without a doubt".

FAQs

How can I use "certainly" in a sentence?

You can use "certainly" to express agreement or affirmation. For example, "Will you be there?" "Certainly, I will."

What are some alternatives to using "certainly"?

You can use alternatives like "definitely", "absolutely", or "without a doubt" depending on the context.

Is it always appropriate to use "certainly"?

While "certainly" is grammatically correct, it might sound overly formal in some informal settings. Choose a more casual synonym like "sure" in those cases.

What's the difference between "certainly" and "surely"?

"Certainly" expresses agreement or affirmation, while "surely" often expresses expectation or surprise. For example, "Certainly, I'll help you" versus "Surely you jest!"