certainly even

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "certainly even" is not commonly used in written English and may sound awkward or unclear.
It could be used in contexts where you want to emphasize a point, suggesting that something is true to an even greater extent than previously stated. Example: "I thought the movie was good, but certainly even the critics were impressed by its depth."

News & Media

Science

Encyclopedias

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

32 human-written examples

Certainly even a skeptic will concede that could conceivably occur.

The New Yorker

Romantic, certainly, even atmospheric, but not particularly accurate.

The New York Times - Arts

Patients don't want probably, they want certainly, even if it is unreasonable to expect it".

The New York Times - Books

Cuba and North Korea, which are almost certainly even less economically free than these, are unranked, for lack of data.

The Economist

"But they were not seriously thought of as the alternative government to the Conservatives certainly even 12 months ago.

The Guardian

Certainly, even in his thirties, Gielgud - remarkable for his great, domed forehead and aquiline nose - did not look English.

The Guardian - Film

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

28 human-written examples

The challenges ahead are certainly great, even discombobulating.

The Guardian

The potential is certainly attractive: Even for Wall Street, $279bn is serious money.

The Guardian

It's not malicious, but it's certainly cutting, even though she's used to it.

The New York Times

Certainly, "celebrity", even though it's craved by many, has negative connotations.

The Guardian - Opinion

The 19-page spread that People published on Aug. 18 was certainly positive, even glowing.

The New York Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "certainly even" to emphasize a point that might seem surprising or unexpected. It works best when the 'even' component adds an extra layer of intensity to the 'certainly'.

Common error

Avoid using "certainly even" too frequently in your writing, as it can sound repetitive and unnatural. Vary your phrasing to maintain a natural and engaging tone.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "certainly even" primarily functions as an adverbial modifier, intensifying the degree to which something is true or valid. It serves to emphasize a statement, highlighting an aspect that might be considered surprising or unexpected. Ludwig provides examples where this phrase underscores a point beyond initial expectations.

Expression frequency: Common

Frequent in

News & Media

50%

Science

32%

Encyclopedias

3%

Less common in

Formal & Business

0%

Wiki

0%

Social Media

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "certainly even" functions as an adverbial modifier to add emphasis and assurance to a statement. Ludwig AI indicates its usage is acceptable but suggests caution to avoid overuse, as it can sound unnatural. It appears most frequently in News & Media and Science contexts. The key is to use it judiciously when you want to highlight a surprising or unexpected aspect of something already deemed certain. While alternatives such as "definitely even" or "assuredly even" exist, "certainly even" offers a unique flavor of emphasis when used appropriately.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

definitely even

Replaces "certainly" with "definitely", offering a slightly stronger sense of assurance.

most certainly even

Adds "most" to "certainly" for extra emphasis, increasing the degree of affirmation.

assuredly even

Substitutes "certainly" with "assuredly", conveying confidence and conviction.

undoubtedly even

Uses "undoubtedly" in place of "certainly", emphasizing the lack of doubt.

absolutely even

Employs "absolutely" to strengthen the affirmation, suggesting complete agreement.

without a doubt even

Replaces "certainly" with "without a doubt", stressing the absence of uncertainty.

indeed even

Replaces "certainly" with "indeed", adding a touch of formality and confirmation.

surely even

Substitutes "certainly" with "surely", implying a sense of expectation or likelihood.

truly even

Uses "truly" instead of "certainly" to express a genuine and sincere sentiment.

in fact even

Emphasizes the truth with the adverbial phrase "in fact" to replace "certainly".

FAQs

How can I use "certainly even" in a sentence?

You can use "certainly even" to emphasize a point, suggesting that something is true to an even greater extent than initially assumed. For example, "The project was successful, and "certainly even" the stakeholders were impressed by the results."

What are some alternatives to "certainly even"?

Alternatives include "definitely even", "assuredly even", or "undoubtedly even", depending on the specific nuance you want to convey.

Is "certainly even" grammatically correct?

While not the most common phrase, "certainly even" is grammatically acceptable. However, it's important to use it sparingly and ensure that it fits the context naturally to avoid sounding awkward.

When is it best to use "certainly even"?

Use "certainly even" when you want to highlight a surprising or unexpected aspect of something that is already certain. It's most effective when the 'even' component adds an additional layer of emphasis to the statement.