certainly we can

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "certainly we can" is correct and usable in written English.
You can use it to express agreement or willingness to do something in a polite and affirmative manner. Example: "If you need assistance with the project, certainly we can help you out."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Academia

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

Certainly, we can hope so.

The New York Times

Certainly we can think of some solution.

The New York Times

The lengths, certainly we can compute.

Massachusetts Institute of Technology

"Certainly, we can fill a major void," Nash said.

The New York Times - Sports

Certainly we can do this within five to seven years".

The Guardian

My theory is if Dallas can do it, certainly we can do it".

The New York Times - Sports

Certainly we can push much harder for humanitarian access to aid needy Syrians.

The New York Times

If we go in certainly we can show our power to Saddam Hussein.

The New York Times

Certainly, we can relax and enjoy what might be our last game of the season".

The Guardian - Sport

Certainly we can castigate academia for being inefficient and out of touch.

The New York Times

"Certainly we can understand why the Legislature would want to reimburse the public schools.

The New York Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "certainly we can" to express willingness or agreement in a polite and affirmative way. This phrase is suitable for both formal and informal contexts.

Common error

While grammatically sound, repeatedly using "certainly we can" in casual conversation can sound overly formal or stiff. Opt for simpler alternatives like "yes", "sure", or "we can" to maintain a natural tone.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "certainly we can" functions as an affirmative response expressing agreement and capability. It indicates willingness and assurance in a given situation. As Ludwig AI suggests, it's used to convey a polite and affirmative agreement.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

62%

Academia

13%

Formal & Business

8%

Less common in

Science

17%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "certainly we can" is a grammatically correct and commonly used expression to convey agreement, capability, and willingness. Ludwig AI confirms its validity and usability in written English. It finds frequent use in News & Media, Academia, and Formal & Business contexts with a slightly formal tone. While versatile, simpler alternatives may be more appropriate in extremely informal settings. Remember to use "certainly we can" to offer reassurance and affirm possibilities in a clear and confident manner.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

definitely we can

Replaces "certainly" with "definitely", indicating a strong affirmation of capability.

absolutely we can

Substitutes "certainly" with "absolutely", emphasizing an unconditional affirmation of capability.

we can most certainly

Adds emphasis by inserting "most" before "certainly", intensifying the affirmation of capability.

undoubtedly we can

Replaces "certainly" with "undoubtedly", conveying a sense of unquestionable capability.

of course we can

Uses "of course" instead of "certainly", implying an obvious or expected capability.

without a doubt we can

Emphasizes certainty by stating "without a doubt", highlighting the assuredness of the capability.

it is certain that we can

Adds a formal tone by using the structure "it is certain that", reinforcing the assurance of capability.

we can surely

Rearranges the phrase, placing "surely" after "can", shifting the emphasis slightly while maintaining the meaning.

surely we are able to

Rephrases the statement using "surely" and "able to", adding a nuance of confidence in the ability to perform.

we are certainly capable of

Replaces "can" with "are certainly capable of", making the statement more formal and emphasizing capability.

FAQs

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

"Certainly we can" is used to express agreement or capability in a polite and affirmative manner. For example, "If you need help with the presentation, "certainly we can" assist you."

What are some alternatives to "certainly we can"?

Alternatives include "definitely we can", "absolutely we can", "of course we can", or simply "we can", depending on the context and desired level of formality.

Is "certainly we can" formal or informal?

"Certainly we can" is generally considered neutral to slightly formal. It's appropriate in both professional and casual settings, though simpler alternatives may be preferred in very informal contexts.

What is the difference between "certainly we can" and "we certainly can"?

Both phrases are grammatically correct and convey the same meaning. However, "certainly we can" places slightly more emphasis on the "certainty" aspect, while "we certainly can" emphasizes the subject performing the action.