certainly they are

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "certainly they are" is correct and usable in written English.
You can use it to affirm or emphasize a statement about a group or individuals in a confident manner. Example: "When it comes to their dedication to the project, certainly they are the most committed team members we have."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

Certainly they are not absent.

The Economist

Certainly, they are growing.

The New York Times - Sports

Certainly, they are arguing.

The New York Times - Sports

Certainly, they are not worthless.

The New York Times

Certainly, they are flying a lot further.

The New York Times

Certainly they are a sexier bunch.

The New York Times

Certainly, they are all at least five years old.

The Economist

Certainly they are keeping the deals to a smaller size.

The New York Times

"Certainly, they are used to some exposure to oil.

The New York Times

Certainly they are much wealthier than the average American.

The New York Times

Certainly they are common responses to her work.

The New York Times - Books

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "certainly they are", consider the tone of your writing. It can come across as assertive, so ensure it aligns with the overall style and intended audience.

Common error

Avoid using "certainly they are" too frequently in your writing. Overuse can make your tone sound repetitive or overly emphatic. Vary your sentence structure and use synonyms like "indeed they are" or "undoubtedly they are" for a more engaging style.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "certainly they are" serves as an affirmative expression. Ludwig provides examples where it confirms a statement, offers assurance, or emphasizes agreement, aligning with its primary function to express certainty.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

100%

Less common in

Formal & Business

0%

Science

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "certainly they are" is a versatile phrase used to express strong agreement or affirmation. As Ludwig AI confirms, it is grammatically correct and commonly found in reputable sources, particularly in news and media. It conveys confidence and is suitable for various contexts, though avoiding overuse is advisable. While neutral in register, it effectively reinforces statements and offers assurance, making it a valuable tool in written and spoken communication.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

undoubtedly they are

Replaces "certainly" with a stronger term for assurance.

most assuredly they are

Combines "most" for extra emphasis with "assuredly".

indeed they are

Substitutes "certainly" with a more emphatic affirmative.

absolutely they are

Uses "absolutely" for stronger confirmation.

definitely they are

Replaces "certainly" with "definitely" for emphasis.

surely they are

Offers a slightly less forceful assurance than "certainly".

unquestionably they are

Indicates something is beyond dispute.

without a doubt they are

Adds a phrase to remove any uncertainty.

of course they are

Expresses obvious agreement.

assuredly they are

A more formal substitute for "certainly".

FAQs

How can I use "certainly they are" in a sentence?

"Certainly they are" is used to strongly affirm a previous statement or question. For example, in response to "Are they qualified?", you might say, "Certainly they are, given their extensive experience".

What phrases are similar to "certainly they are"?

Similar phrases include "indeed they are", "undoubtedly they are", and "absolutely they are". The choice depends on the degree of emphasis you want to convey.

Is "certainly they are" formal or informal?

"Certainly they are" is generally considered neutral to slightly formal. It's suitable for most writing contexts, but in very informal situations, simpler affirmations like "yes, they are" might be more appropriate.

Can "certainly they are" be used in negative statements?

Yes, it can. For instance, "Are they always reliable?" can be answered with "Certainly they are not, as their record shows inconsistencies". It affirms the negative aspect of the statement.