completely certain

USAGE SUMMARY

"completely certain" is a correct and usable phrase in written English.
You can use it to emphasize that someone is very confident in something. For example: "I am completely certain that I can finish this project on time."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Academia

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

Even her daughter was not completely certain.

The New York Times

Not that I was completely certain what "it" was.

The Guardian - Lifestyle

I am used to choreography, moral absolutes and a crowd that is completely certain about everything.

The Guardian

Despite careful calculations, his father was not completely certain he would see it, Mr. Brown said.

The New York Times

A central bank does not need to be completely certain to act.

The Economist

Rejecting the denial, Vice President Francisco Santos said the government "is completely certain that it was the FARC".

The New York Times

Sufficient fabrication information is needed so that fabricators can be completely certain concerning how to actually build the form.

Automation in Construction

And it's no good to argue that we made a rod for our own backs by sharing something we weren't completely certain about.

The Guardian

But even if we were able to be completely certain that all death row inmates were guilty, we should still oppose the death penalty.

The Guardian - Opinion

"I was absolutely sure, completely certain, that we would be back," Mr. Chavez said in a speech to his jubilant supporters.

The New York Times

Of course, people can never be completely certain of their future medical costs, but prescription drugs -- especially for the elderly -- are in some ways a special category.

The New York Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "completely certain" to convey a strong sense of assurance, especially when you want to leave no room for doubt.

Common error

In academic writing, overuse of words like "completely certain" can weaken your argument. Instead, present your evidence clearly and let the reader infer your level of certainty.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "completely certain" functions as an adjective phrase that modifies a noun or pronoun, expressing a strong level of confidence or conviction. As Ludwig confirms, it's a correct and commonly used phrase.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

45%

Science

25%

Academia

15%

Less common in

Wiki

5%

Formal & Business

5%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "completely certain" is a grammatically correct and very common phrase used to express a strong sense of conviction or assurance. Ludwig AI confirms its validity and common usage. Predominantly found in News & Media, Science, and Academic contexts, it functions as an adjective phrase that emphatically asserts a belief or prediction with a neutral register. While effective for conveying confidence, remember to consider alternatives such as "absolutely sure" or "without a doubt" for stylistic variation and to avoid overuse, especially in formal writing.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

absolutely sure

Emphasizes certainty with a slightly stronger tone.

entirely convinced

Focuses on the state of being persuaded, rather than just certain.

fully persuaded

Similar to 'entirely convinced' but with a slightly more formal tone.

totally confident

Highlights confidence as the basis for certainty.

without a doubt

Expresses certainty by negating any possibility of doubt.

unequivocally sure

Uses a more formal and emphatic adverb to strengthen certainty.

firmly convinced

Stresses the strength of the conviction.

positive beyond question

Implies that there is no reason to doubt the certainty.

assured without reservation

Highlights the lack of any hesitation or doubt.

definitely certain

Uses an adverb to emphasize the certainty, though it can be somewhat redundant.

FAQs

How can I use "completely certain" in a sentence?

You can use "completely certain" to express a strong conviction or lack of doubt about something. For example, "I am completely certain that this approach will succeed."

What are some alternatives to "completely certain"?

You can use alternatives like "absolutely sure", "entirely convinced", or "without a doubt" to convey a similar meaning.

Is it better to say "completely certain" or "absolutely certain"?

Both "completely certain" and "absolutely certain" are acceptable, but "absolutely certain" often conveys a slightly stronger sense of assurance. Choose the one that best fits the context and desired emphasis.

What's the difference between "completely certain" and "almost certain"?

"Completely certain" implies a total lack of doubt, while "almost certain" suggests a high degree of confidence but acknowledges a small possibility of error.