confident figures

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "confident figures" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used when referring to statistics or data that are presented with certainty or assurance. Example: "The report provided confident figures that indicated a significant increase in sales over the last quarter."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

1 human-written examples

This again is hardly surprising, given how many high-profile figures end up developing their own egocentric model of how reality works, and such is the way the human mind works when it comes to successful, confident figures that they'll always have their believers and supporters.

The Guardian

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

58 human-written examples

Lydia trembled, her normally confident figure crumpled inward.

The New Yorker

Letters written on paper swiped from the luxurious Waldorf Astoria show him as a newly confident figure.

The Guardian - Books

A lolling, purring, supremely confident figure, he famously announced at his first Chelsea press conference that summer that he was "special".

The Guardian - Sport

Initially, Blair is presented as a dodgy opportunist, a man of no great principle, an altogether less confident figure than Cherie.

The Guardian - Film

Seeing a confident figure give an energetic speech, with pauses for roaring applause, and perhaps most importantly, saying things the listener agrees with, is going to get a positive response, even if the written text is nothing special.

The New York Times

Romances in his movies tend to involve three or more people, and the fluid, anything-goes permutations and realignments reach a kind of apotheosis in the casually confident figure of Smith in "Kaboom".

The New York Times

At Oxford, he was a more confident figure: he wore a velveteen jacket, was never seen without his deerhound Prince, and reminded his classmate Andrew Lang of the charming and attractive Will Ladislaw, from George Eliot's "Middlemarch," then being published in installments.

The New Yorker

Teaching, of course, is a form of entertainment (ever more so, these days), so it's somewhat surprising that Mr. Emmott doesn't cut a more confident figure on stage.

The New York Times - Arts

Oertel cut a significantly more confident figure as she addressed a group of foreign journalists than the woman who began her political career by giving speeches from the Pegida campaign caravan when the group first started attracting crowds of tens of thousands in December.

The Guardian

"The dollar sign is such a beautiful image, and in the book it starts off as sort of frail and disorganized and unrecognizable — you don't know what it is — and then by the end it becomes this strong, confident figure that's worth a lot".

The New Yorker

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When describing people, use "confident figures" to emphasize their self-assurance and poise, rather than just stating they are "confident".

Common error

Avoid using "confident figures" in overly casual or informal settings. It tends to lend a more formal tone than necessary, consider alternatives like "assured people" or "self-assured people".

Linguistic Context

The phrase "confident figures" functions primarily as a descriptive noun phrase, where 'confident' acts as an adjective modifying the noun 'figures'. As Ludwig AI confirms, it's a grammatically correct phrase.

Expression frequency: Common

Frequent in

News & Media

60%

Science

20%

Formal & Business

10%

Less common in

Encyclopedias

5%

Wiki

3%

Reference

2%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "confident figures" is a grammatically sound and commonly used phrase, as confirmed by Ludwig AI. It functions as a descriptive noun phrase, primarily used to convey a sense of self-assurance or reliability. While it appears most frequently in news and media contexts, it is also found in scientific and formal writing, suggesting a register that ranges from neutral to formal. When aiming for precision and a slightly elevated tone, "confident figures" is a reliable choice. As Ludwig shows, there is a number of "self-assured personalities" and "assured individuals" that have similar meanings.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

assured individuals

Focuses on the individuals possessing confidence, emphasizing their certainty.

self-assured personalities

Highlights the self-reliance and confidence inherent in their character.

poised characters

Emphasizes the graceful and composed demeanor of the confident figures.

certain personalities

Emphasizes the quality of being definite or having no doubt.

self-possessed individuals

Indicates individuals who are in control of their emotions and actions, projecting confidence.

authoritative persons

Shifts the focus to their perceived authority and influence.

assertive people

Highlights the quality of being confident and forceful in expressing opinions or claims.

bold individuals

Emphasizes the courageous and daring nature of the confident figures.

assured statistics

Focuses on data presented with a high degree of certainty and reliability.

reliable data

Focuses on data presented with a high degree of credibility and dependability.

FAQs

How can I use "confident figures" in a sentence?

You can use "confident figures" to describe individuals who exude self-assurance and poise. For example, "The stage was filled with "confident figures" delivering their speeches".

What are some alternatives to "confident figures"?

Some alternatives include "assured individuals", "self-assured personalities", or "poised characters" depending on the specific context.

Is "confident figures" more formal than "confident people"?

Yes, "confident figures" generally carries a more formal tone than "confident people". "Confident figures" might be preferred in professional or academic writing, while "confident people" is suitable for more casual conversation.

When is it appropriate to use "confident figures" to describe data?

While "confident figures" is generally used to describe people, it can also refer to data that is presented with a high degree of certainty or reliability. An example is when someone refers to "reliable data".