definitely true

USAGE SUMMARY

"definitely true" is correct and can be used in written English.
It is used to emphasize the truthfulness or certainty of a statement or opinion. Example sentence: He is definitely true to his word.

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Academia

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

58 human-written examples

That is definitely true.

The New York Times

That's definitely true.

The New Yorker

"It's definitely true," she smiles.

The Guardian - Music

"That's definitely true," he says.

The Guardian

"That's definitely true in Houston.

The New York Times

That was definitely true then".

The Guardian - Tech

That is definitely true, Alex.

The New York Times

That's definitely true when I am working".

Independent

Lifestyle as the cause – almost definitely true.

Harvard University

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

2 human-written examples

Section 1 items are rated 'definitely true; mostly true; uncertain; mostly false or definitely false' (scored 1 to 5).

BMC Family Practice

The items are graded on a 3-point scale: 0 not at all true, 1 sometimes true, 2 definitely true.

Child Psychiatry and Human Development

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "definitely true" to strongly affirm a statement or opinion. Ensure the context warrants such emphasis for maximum impact.

Common error

While "definitely true" is acceptable, overuse can make your writing sound repetitive or insincere. Vary your language with alternatives like "absolutely", "undoubtedly", or "certainly" to maintain reader engagement.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "definitely true" primarily functions as an adverbial modifier intensifying the adjective "true." It serves to strengthen the assertion of a statement's veracity. Ludwig AI confirms its correct and acceptable use in English.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

59%

Academia

17%

Science

15%

Less common in

Formal & Business

3%

Wiki

3%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

"Definitely true" is a common and grammatically correct phrase used to strongly affirm a statement or opinion. As Ludwig AI explains, it serves to emphasize truthfulness. Its frequency across diverse sources like news, academia, and science underscores its versatility. While alternatives exist to prevent redundancy, "definitely true" remains a straightforward and effective way to express strong agreement and confirmation in various contexts. Overuse, however, can detract from its impact, so strategic application is key.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

Undoubtedly correct

Replaces "definitely" with "undoubtedly", adding a stronger sense of certainty.

Absolutely right

Substitutes both words with stronger synonyms, emphasizing complete accuracy.

Certainly accurate

Uses "certainly" instead of "definitely", focusing on the precision of information.

Indisputably factual

Replaces "true" with "factual" and "definitely" with "indisputably", suggesting objective truth and removing any doubt.

Positively correct

Uses "positively" to intensify the affirmation of correctness.

Without a doubt, true

Adds an introductory phrase to emphasize the lack of uncertainty about the truth.

Verifiably accurate

Replaces "true" with "accurate", highlighting the possibility of verification.

Unquestionably valid

Changes "true" to "valid", implying that something is sound and well-founded.

Decidedly so

A more concise and emphatic way to agree, removing the direct reference to truth.

Patently obvious

Indicates that the truth is clear and easily perceived, rather than simply being correct.

FAQs

How can I use "definitely true" in a sentence?

You can use "definitely true" to express strong agreement or confirmation, as in "That's "definitely true", I agree with you completely" or "The rumors about the company's success are "definitely true"".

What are some alternatives to "definitely true"?

Some alternatives to "definitely true" include "absolutely right", "undoubtedly correct", or "certainly accurate". The best choice depends on the specific context and the degree of emphasis you want to convey.

Is "definitely true" redundant? Can I just say "true"?

While "true" alone can suffice, "definitely true" adds emphasis and asserts a higher degree of certainty. The redundancy is intentional and serves to strengthen the affirmation. However, consider context and avoid overuse.

When is it appropriate to use "definitely true" in writing?

It's appropriate to use "definitely true" when you want to strongly agree with a statement or emphasize the truthfulness of something, especially when there might be doubt or disagreement. Use it sparingly in formal writing to avoid sounding overly emphatic.