certainly is

USAGE SUMMARY

"certainly is" is a correct and usable phrase in written English.
It is used to express agreement or strong confirmation about something. You can use it in various contexts, such as to show support, approval, or certainty. Example: "Your idea certainly is worth considering. I think it could be a great solution to our problem."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Formal & Business

Literature & Arts

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

59 human-written examples

"It certainly is heartbreaking".

The Guardian

Serious it certainly is.

The New York Times - Sports

He most certainly is.

Independent

Brody certainly is one.

The New Yorker

It certainly is comfortable.

The New York Times - Tech

Byrd certainly is.

The New York Times - Books

(Tuition certainly is).

The New York Times - Magazine

Entertaining, it certainly is.

The New York Times - Sports

She certainly is not.

The New York Times

"It certainly is not".

The New York Times

She certainly is.

Independent

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Invert the order to "is certainly" if you want the emphasis to fall slightly more on the state of being rather than the certainty itself.

Common error

While "certainly is" is excellent for opinion pieces or persuasive writing, avoid overusing it in strictly objective news reporting or scientific papers. Using it too frequently can make the writing seem biased or overly emotional rather than factual.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "certainly is" functions as an adverbial intensifier paired with the copular verb "to be". According to Ludwig AI, it is used to strengthen the assertion of a state or identity. It often appears in response to a question or to validate a previous observation, acting as a bridge between a subject and its emphasized attribute.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

75%

Formal & Business

15%

Literature & Arts

10%

Less common in

Technical Manuals

3%

Scientific Research

4%

Legal Statutes

2%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "certainly is" is a highly effective and grammatically correct tool for adding emphasis to your writing. Data from Ludwig AI demonstrates its widespread use across the most prestigious English-language publications, confirming its status as a reliable phrase for expressing certainty. Whether you are agreeing with a colleague's point or highlighting a striking fact in an essay, this phrase provides a clear, authoritative tone. While it has several synonyms like "definitely is" or "indeed is", "certainly is" remains one of the most balanced choices for both formal and semi-formal contexts.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

is certainly

A simple inversion of word order which can change the rhythmic flow of a sentence.

definitely is

Slightly more conversational and common in everyday speech.

most certainly is

Adds an extra layer of emphasis for even stronger confirmation.

undeniably is

Stronger than "certainly", suggesting that the fact cannot be disputed.

unquestionably is

Removes any possibility of doubt, more formal in tone.

truly is

Focuses on the authenticity or sincerity of the state being described.

indeed is

More formal and often used to confirm a previous point or observation.

surely is

Often used when the speaker expects agreement from the listener.

really is

Much more informal and common in casual dialogue.

plainly is

Suggests that the truth is obvious to anyone looking at the facts.

FAQs

How do I use "certainly is" in a sentence?

You can use "certainly is" to confirm a quality, such as in "The view from the top "certainly is" breathtaking". It serves to emphasize the truth of the statement.

Is it better to say "certainly is" or "is certainly"?

Both are grammatically correct and largely interchangeable. "is certainly" is often more common in mid-sentence placement, while "certainly is" is frequently used at the end of a clause or for punchy emphasis.

What is a more formal way to say "certainly is"?

For a more formal or academic tone, you might use phrases like "undeniably is", "manifestly is", or "unquestionably is".

Can "certainly is" be used to start a sentence?

While it usually follows a subject, you can start a response with it as a stand-alone affirmation. However, starting a long sentence with "Certainly, it is..." (using a comma) is usually more standard than starting with just "Certainly is".