certainty of what

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "certainty of what" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used when questioning or clarifying the specific subject or matter that one is certain about. Example: "I need to understand the certainty of what you are claiming before I can agree with your argument."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Formal & Business

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

14 human-written examples

Other New Yorkers hunkered down for another night without power, without certainty of what would happen to their homes.

The New York Times

The certainty of What Was and What Will Be used to come from a Bible; now people now turn to nanny cams.

The New York Times

She was just able to glimpse her father's camp from hers: "Between us stood… the unbearable certainty of what was happening to us all".

The Guardian - Books

A rattled public was left to sort through leaked phone calls presented as suppressed evidence of corruption, without any certainty of what was true and what had been concocted to distort the truth.

The New Yorker

In his abstract, his photo-based and even his landscape paintings, Mr Richter says that "the certainty of what is to be painted, the 'subject', is missing .The void at the heart of Anselm Kiefer's paintings is of a different kind.

The Economist

As he confronts forces that might be described as a kind of virtual reality emanating from his own mind, his certainty of what is real and what is not begins to crumble, and a lifetime of stifled doubts and regrets rears up to haunt him.

The New York Times

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

46 human-written examples

They want to erase a world that, they feel, has become confusing and hostile, and retire to the half-remembered certainties of what they assume were the good old days.

Vice

In any case of this kind, where it is assumed that the facts cannot be established with certainty, considerations of what is plausible may, given sufficient ingenuity, be adduced on either side, and similar arguments can be adduced in the context of political deliberation, where the future outcome cannot be certain and the decision has to turn on the balance of probabilities.

SEP

It can give patients and their families the certainty of knowing what is wrong and even a prognosis.

The New York Times - Health

Although he would rather pay less for tickets -- he remembers the days when bleacher seats cost $4, not, in some instances, more than $50 -- he says he prefers the certainty of getting what he wants.

The New York Times

Satel and Lilienfeld like the term "neuroredundancy" to "denote things we already knew without brain scanning," mockingly citing a researcher who insists that "brain imaging tells us that post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) is a 'real disorder.' " The brain scan, like the word "wired," adds a false gloss of scientific certainty to what we already thought.

The New Yorker

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using the phrase "certainty of what", ensure that the context clearly indicates what specific information or outcome the certainty refers to. This prevents ambiguity and strengthens your statement.

Common error

Avoid using "certainty of what" without a clear reference to the subject of certainty. For example, instead of saying "There was a lack of certainty of what", specify: "There was a lack of certainty of what the future held."

Linguistic Context

The phrase "certainty of what" primarily functions as a noun phrase acting as the object of a preposition (often 'of' or 'about'). It typically indicates a lack or presence of definite knowledge or assurance regarding a particular subject. Ludwig confirms its correctness and usability.

Expression frequency: Common

Frequent in

News & Media

50%

Science

30%

Formal & Business

20%

Less common in

Wiki

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "certainty of what" is a grammatically sound and frequently used phrase, as affirmed by Ludwig. It functions as a noun phrase expressing the extent of sureness regarding specific details or occurrences. Common in news, science and formal writing, the phrase maintains a neutral tone. To ensure clarity, it's crucial to specify what the certainty pertains to, avoiding any vagueness. Alternatives like "assurance regarding what" or "clarity concerning what" may be employed for variety. Ludwig's examples highlight the phrase's use in scenarios where understanding or definite knowledge is being discussed or questioned.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

assurance regarding what

Replaces "certainty" with "assurance", emphasizing a confident declaration about something.

clarity concerning what

Substitutes "certainty" with "clarity", focusing on the state of being clear and easily understood about something.

understanding of what

Replaces "certainty" with "understanding", highlighting comprehension of the subject.

knowledge of what

Uses "knowledge" instead of "certainty", stressing the awareness and familiarity with the subject.

conviction about what

Replaces "certainty" with "conviction", emphasizing a strong belief in something.

confidence in what

Substitutes "certainty" with "confidence", focusing on the feeling of self-assurance about something.

definite knowledge of what

Adds "definite knowledge" to specify the detailed and clear understanding about the subject.

unequivocal assurance of what

Replaces "certainty" with "unequivocal assurance", reinforcing the clear and undeniable aspect of the affirmation.

surety regarding what

Utilizes "surety" instead of "certainty", indicating a state of being sure and free from doubt about something.

positive identification of what

Replaces "certainty" with "positive identification", underscoring the act of clearly recognizing or establishing something.

FAQs

How can I use "certainty of what" in a sentence?

You can use "certainty of what" to express a lack of sureness about something. For instance, "The residents lived in fear and without any "certainty of what" the future held".

What phrases are similar to "certainty of what"?

Similar phrases include "assurance regarding what", "clarity concerning what", or "understanding of what", which all convey a degree of understanding or sureness about a topic.

Is it better to use "certainty about what" or "certainty of what"?

Both "certainty about what" and "certainty of what" are grammatically correct, but the latter is more common. The best choice depends on the specific context and flow of your sentence.

What is the difference between "certainty of what" and "confidence in what"?

"Certainty of what" typically refers to a clear and definite knowledge, whereas "confidence in what" implies a belief or trust, even if the knowledge isn't absolute. You might have "confidence in what" you are doing, but not necessarily "certainty of what" will happen.