certainly though

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "certainly though" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to acknowledge a point while also introducing a contrasting or additional thought. Example: "I understand your concerns; certainly though, we must consider the benefits of the new policy."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

57 human-written examples

Certainly, though, they needed help.

The New York Times

Certainly, though, this was no embarrassment.

The New York Times

Certainly, though, China has had comparatively brisk Internet growth.

The New York Times

Oil and mining, certainly, though that is also where the biggest opportunities lie.

The Economist

Certainly, though, he has vindicated Whitehouse's judgment of Schumer as "the schmoozemeister of the world".

The New Yorker

We could certainly (though not easily) amend the Constitution to make that possible.

The New Yorker

He was exhausted, certainly, though he ate voraciously, devouring his salad and bread.

The New York Times - Magazine

Certainly, though, through his dogged determination, Giuliani has broken new scientific ground.

The Guardian

Almost certainly, though, news would have to be the whole point, not just an afterthought.

The Guardian - Opinion

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

2 human-written examples

They are certainly smaller, though.

The New York Times

It's certainly heartfelt, though.

The New York Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "certainly though" to introduce a qualification or contrast to a statement you've just made. It's effective when you want to acknowledge one aspect while emphasizing another.

Common error

While grammatically correct, "certainly though" can sound overly formal in casual conversations. Opt for simpler alternatives like "but" or "however" in informal settings to maintain a natural tone.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "certainly though" functions as an adverbial conjunction, modifying the clause it introduces by expressing a contrast or qualification. It acknowledges a preceding statement while simultaneously introducing a different perspective, as seen in the Ludwig examples.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

56%

Science

29%

Formal & Business

7%

Less common in

Wiki

2%

Encyclopedias

0%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "certainly though" is a grammatically correct and frequently used phrase that acts as an adverbial conjunction. According to Ludwig, its primary function is to introduce a contrasting or qualifying statement, adding nuance to an argument. While versatile, it leans towards a neutral to formal tone. This makes it well-suited for news and media or scientific writing. While the phrase is useful, avoid overuse in informal settings where simpler alternatives might be better suited. Remember to use "certainly though" when you want to acknowledge one aspect of a situation while emphasizing another.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

definitely however

Replaces "certainly" with "definitely" while retaining the contrast with "however".

undoubtedly yet

Substitutes "certainly" with "undoubtedly" and "though" with "yet", maintaining a formal tone.

admittedly but

Uses "admittedly" to acknowledge a point, followed by "but" to introduce a contrasting element.

indeed nevertheless

Employs "indeed" for affirmation and "nevertheless" for introducing a contrasting idea.

assuredly still

Replaces "certainly" with "assuredly", adding a touch of formality, and uses "still" instead of "though".

granted even so

Uses "granted" to concede a point before introducing a qualification with "even so".

of course on the other hand

Expresses agreement with "of course", then introduces a different perspective with "on the other hand".

while it's true that

Introduces a concession with "while it's true that", followed by a contrasting statement.

although it is certain

Reverses the structure, starting with a concession using "although", but keeps the core meaning.

to be sure however

Uses "to be sure" for agreement or emphasis, contrasted by "however".

FAQs

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

Use "certainly though" to introduce a contrasting point or qualification. For example, "The task is challenging, "certainly though" achievable with dedication".

What are some alternatives to "certainly though"?

Alternatives include "definitely however", "undoubtedly yet", or "admittedly but", depending on the level of formality you want to convey.

Is "certainly though" always appropriate in written English?

While grammatically correct, "certainly though" may sound somewhat formal. Consider the context and audience; simpler conjunctions might be more suitable in informal writing.

What is the difference between "certainly though" and "certainly however"?

The phrases are very similar, but "certainly however" might emphasize the contrast slightly more than ""certainly though"", while "certainly though" tends to be less abrupt in tone.