certainly so

USAGE SUMMARY

"certainly so" is a correct and usable phrase in written English.
It is typically used to affirm or emphasize something that has just been stated. Example: "The evidence proved beyond a doubt that the defendant was guilty of the crime. Certainly so, the jury unanimously agreed and handed down a guilty verdict."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

41 human-written examples

And that's certainly so.

The New Yorker

Perhaps, but not certainly so.

The Economist

That was certainly so in the bathroom.

The New Yorker

This is certainly so in Detroit.

The New York Times

In part, certainly, so I can spend my weekend deleting angry emails.

The Washington Post

Reagan's tax policies did considerable injury to the U.S. economy and, most certainly, so did the Clinton-era deregulation.

The New Yorker

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

19 human-written examples

Certainly, so-called progressive Muslims are vocally advocating for changes that include introducing women prayer leaders for public co-gender prayers, but most forms of Muslim women's leadership are far from modern or progressive inventions.

Princeton University

Certainly, so-called immortalized B-LCLs with abnormal karyotypes (Okubo et al. 2001; Sugimoto et al. 2004) should not be used for genetic research.

Genome Biology and Evolution

Conservationists certainly hope so.

The Economist

Some certainly hope so.

The Economist

It certainly seems so.

The Economist

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "certainly so" to emphasize agreement with a previous statement or to reinforce a point you are making. It adds a degree of formality and conviction to your writing.

Common error

Avoid using "certainly so" in very casual conversations or informal writing, as it can sound overly formal or stilted. Opt for simpler phrases like "that's right" or "absolutely" in those situations.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "certainly so" functions as an adverbial phrase that modifies a verb or clause. It serves to affirm or emphasize the truth or validity of a previous statement, adding a sense of conviction.

Expression frequency: Common

Frequent in

News & Media

60%

Science

20%

Academia

10%

Less common in

Formal & Business

5%

Encyclopedias

2%

Wiki

3%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "certainly so" is a grammatically correct phrase used to express agreement or affirmation. Ludwig AI affirms that it’s appropriate for formal writing styles and has a neutral to formal register, making it suitable for various contexts such as news, academic papers, and business communications. While versatile, it's important to avoid overuse in casual conversation. The phrase is most frequently found in News & Media. Related phrases include "definitely so" and "absolutely so".

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

definitely so

Replaces "certainly" with "definitely", indicating a strong degree of certainty.

absolutely so

Uses "absolutely" for emphasis, suggesting complete agreement.

undoubtedly so

Substitutes "certainly" with "undoubtedly", highlighting the lack of doubt.

indeed so

Employs "indeed" to affirm the preceding statement, adding a touch of formality.

surely so

Replaces "certainly" with "surely", conveying confidence in the truth of the statement.

assuredly so

Uses "assuredly" to express confidence and conviction.

without a doubt

Expresses certainty by negating any possibility of doubt.

that's right

A more direct and informal way of expressing agreement.

that's correct

Similar to "that's right" but slightly more formal, emphasizing factual accuracy.

precisely

A concise affirmation, highlighting exactness and agreement.

FAQs

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

You can use "certainly so" to express agreement or affirmation with a preceding statement. For example: "The data clearly supports the hypothesis. Certainly so, the study's conclusions are irrefutable."

What phrases are similar to "certainly so"?

Alternatives to "certainly so" include "definitely so", "absolutely so", or "indeed so", depending on the level of formality and emphasis you want to convey.

Is "certainly so" more formal than "that's right"?

Yes, "certainly so" is generally more formal than "that's right". "That's right" is suitable for casual conversations, while "certainly so" is better suited for formal writing or discussions.

When is it inappropriate to use "certainly so"?

It's best to avoid "certainly so" in very informal settings or when speaking to close friends or family, as it can sound overly stiff or unnatural in those contexts. More relaxed phrases are often more appropriate.