certainly tired

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "certainly tired" is correct and usable in written English.
You can use it to express a strong affirmation of being tired, often in response to a question or statement about one's state of fatigue. Example: "After working a double shift, I am certainly tired and ready for some rest."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

3 human-written examples

Federer is certainly tired of fielding them.

The New Yorker

I am also – let's be careful here – not tired of the novel, but certainly tired because of the novel.

The Guardian - Books

I'm certainly tired of writing about it every other day.

TechCrunch

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

56 human-written examples

"We saw within our side that the lads were certainly tiring, and we had to manage our interchanges".

BBC

We had a great deal of fun a valuable outcome in itself but the unaccustomed intensity of interaction in the classroom is certainly tiring and facilitation becomes less effective if exhaustion sets in.

EMBO Reports

(Though I was certainly tired--there is no JetBlue service from Portland to Misnk, and I hadn't slept much the two nights before).

Huffington Post

Carolina certainly looked tired.

The New York Times - Sports

He certainly sounds tired.

The New York Times

But I'm certainly not tired of it.

The New York Times - Sports

And Mr. Shiner added, "I'm certainly more tired at the end of the day, more exhausted".

The New York Times

The Huskies certainly looked tired during a crucial period that began with about five minutes left in the game.

The New York Times - Sports

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "certainly tired" to express a strong affirmation of fatigue, especially when confirming a previous statement or observation. For variety, consider synonyms like "definitely tired" or "undoubtedly fatigued".

Common error

While grammatically correct, "certainly tired" can sound somewhat informal in very formal writing. Opt for alternatives like "undoubtedly fatigued" or "assuredly weary" in such contexts to maintain a more elevated tone.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "certainly tired" functions as an adjective phrase, where "certainly" modifies the adjective "tired", intensifying the feeling of fatigue. It is used to express a strong affirmation of being tired, as demonstrated in the Ludwig examples.

Expression frequency: Uncommon

Frequent in

News & Media

70%

Science

15%

Formal & Business

10%

Less common in

Wiki

2%

Encyclopedias

1%

Reference

2%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "certainly tired" is a grammatically correct way to express a strong feeling of fatigue. Ludwig examples show it is used mostly in News & Media. While appropriate in many contexts, it can sometimes sound informal for strict academic or formal writing, where alternatives like "undoubtedly fatigued" or "assuredly weary" might be preferable. As noted by Ludwig, the phrase is a valid and usable expression, with "definitely tired" or "undoubtedly tired" as possible substitutes for variety.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

definitely exhausted

Replaces "tired" with "exhausted" to intensify the feeling, and "certainly" with "definitely" for a similar level of conviction.

undoubtedly weary

Uses "weary" instead of "tired" for a slightly more formal tone, and "undoubtedly" in place of "certainly" to convey assurance.

without a doubt, fatigued

Replaces "certainly" with "without a doubt" to strongly emphasize the feeling of being "fatigued" instead of "tired".

absolutely knackered

Employs the informal term "knackered" to replace "tired", paired with "absolutely" for emphasis.

really tired

Uses "really" as a less formal substitute for "certainly" to describe the state of being tired.

genuinely fatigued

Substitutes "certainly" with "genuinely" to emphasize the authenticity of feeling "fatigued".

thoroughly exhausted

Uses "thoroughly" to highlight the extent of exhaustion, replacing "certainly" and intensifying "tired" with "exhausted".

unquestionably drained

Replaces "tired" with "drained" to indicate a lack of energy, and "certainly" with "unquestionably" to confirm the feeling.

plain tired

Replaces "certainly" with "plain" to indicate a state of just being tired without any other implications.

unmistakably weary

Uses "weary" as a synonym for tired and "unmistakably" instead of "certainly".

FAQs

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

You can use "certainly tired" to express a strong affirmation of being tired. For example, "After running the marathon, I am "certainly tired" and need to rest."

What's a more formal way to say "certainly tired"?

For a more formal tone, consider alternatives like "undoubtedly fatigued", "assuredly weary", or "definitely exhausted". These options convey a similar meaning with a slightly more elevated register.

Is it okay to use "certainly tired" in academic writing?

While grammatically correct, "certainly tired" might be perceived as slightly informal for strict academic writing. It's generally acceptable, but consider more formal alternatives like "undoubtedly fatigued" or "assuredly weary" depending on the context.

What's the difference between "certainly tired" and "really tired"?

"Certainly tired" implies a stronger sense of affirmation or confirmation about being tired, while "really tired" simply emphasizes the degree of tiredness. "Certainly" adds an element of conviction that "really" does not.