certainly an honor

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "certainly an honor" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to express gratitude or appreciation for being recognized or given a privilege. Example: "Receiving this award is certainly an honor, and I am grateful for the recognition."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Formal & Business

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

5 human-written examples

"It's certainly an honor," Collins said.

The New York Times - Sports

It was certainly an honor, if a nerve-wracking one, for the five chosen students.

The New Yorker

It's certainly an honor when your teammates elect you as a captain, as a representative to speak for the team in that role.

The New York Times - Sports

"I just thought about this individual thing and certainly when it became a reality, it's certainly an honor, a big honor.

The New York Times - Sports

"Receiving the Coach of the Year award is certainly an honor," Lewis said.

Los Angeles Times

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

55 human-written examples

"It certainly is an honor to be working with Mr. Robeson, but the man just can't sing the blues," Basie later told the producer John Hammond.

The New York Times - Arts

It certainly is an honor well deserved, especially for a leader whose career is still evolving.

Huffington Post

It certainly was an honor for me to be the subject of one of your feature articles.

Los Angeles Times

While being asked to perform "The Star Spangled Banner" is certainly a singular honor, it's a famously tough song to wrangle — besides the considerable range required to hit both its lowest and highest notes (and usually without musical accompaniment), you have to both recall and convincingly vocalize the phrase "O'er the ramparts".

The New Yorker

"Certainly it's an honor, and a little bit terrifying," he said.

The New York Times

Wills would certainly love such an honor, even though he vows not to spend too much time fretting about it.

Los Angeles Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "certainly an honor" when you want to express sincere appreciation for an opportunity or recognition. It conveys both respect and gratitude.

Common error

Avoid using "certainly an honor" sarcastically or in situations where the sentiment is insincere. Sarcastic usage can undermine the phrase's intended meaning and damage your credibility.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "certainly an honor" functions primarily as an expression of gratitude or acknowledgement of a privilege. Ludwig examples show it used in contexts of receiving awards, being selected for a team, or recognizing an opportunity. Ludwig AI validates this as a correct and usable expression.

Expression frequency: Uncommon

Frequent in

News & Media

80%

Formal & Business

10%

Science

5%

Less common in

Wiki

5%

Encyclopedias

0%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "certainly an honor" is a grammatically sound and widely accepted phrase used to express gratitude and acknowledge a privilege or recognition. As Ludwig examples demonstrate, it appears most frequently in news and media contexts, conveying respect and appreciation. While Ludwig AI confirms its correctness, it's important to use this phrase sincerely and appropriately, avoiding sarcasm to maintain its intended impact. Alternative phrases, such as "truly an honor" or "indeed an honor", can provide similar meaning with slightly different emphasis.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

Truly an honor

Replaces "certainly" with "truly" for a slightly more emphatic expression of honor.

An absolute honor

Emphasizes the completeness and unquestionable nature of the honor.

A great honor

Focuses on the magnitude and importance of the honor.

Indeed an honor

Uses "indeed" to express agreement and emphasize the honor.

A genuine honor

Emphasizes the sincerity and authenticity of the honor.

Undoubtedly a privilege

Emphasizes the aspect of privilege more strongly than the aspect of honor.

A true privilege

Shifts the focus from honor to the benefit or advantage received.

A distinct honor

Highlights the special and unique nature of the honor.

A singular honor

Highlights the uniqueness and rarity of the honor.

I'm deeply honored

Expresses personal feeling of honor, replacing impersonal expression with a personal one.

FAQs

How can I use "certainly an honor" in a sentence?

You can use "certainly an honor" to express gratitude or acknowledge a privilege. For example, "Being recognized for this achievement is "certainly an honor"".

What are some alternatives to "certainly an honor"?

Alternatives include phrases like "truly an honor", "indeed an honor", or "a distinct honor", depending on the specific nuance you want to convey.

Is "certainly an honor" formal or informal?

"Certainly an honor" is generally considered a formal expression suitable for professional and respectful contexts.

When is it appropriate to use "certainly an honor"?

Use "certainly an honor" when receiving an award, being invited to a prestigious event, or acknowledging a significant opportunity. It's appropriate in situations where you want to express genuine appreciation and respect.