definitively confirm

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "definitively confirm" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used when you want to emphasize that something is being confirmed with absolute certainty. Example: "The laboratory results will definitively confirm the presence of the virus in the sample."

✓ Grammatically correct

Science

News & Media

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

Do will definitively confirm only the year of Bandi's birth, 1950.

The New Yorker

All, while hard to definitively confirm, stoke the very real emotional stress of the neighborhood.

The New York Times

No one has been able to definitively confirm or refute the Die Zeit story.

The Guardian

But even a positive diagnosis cannot definitively confirm her suspicions of football's role.

The New York Times - Sports

Did you ever definitively confirm that the place had been a crack house?

The New York Times

Juhn Wada developed a test while in Montreal designed to definitively confirm hemispheric lateralization of speech in candidates for surgical treatment of epilepsy.

Revue Neurologique

It does not use a fingerprint or other biometric data, which is much harder to forge, to definitively confirm that a person has left the United States.

The New York Times

The office did not definitively confirm the boy had been shot by the agent, only noting that his body was on a sidewalk near the border barrier.

The New York Times

Speaking of forgotten sports, there is a rumor that the PGA Tour's season is starting, although no one will definitively confirm this.

The New York Times

Makeup free, with those signature geometric cheekbones, she looks astonishingly youthful for the 67 years she refuses to definitively confirm in the book (her age slides around all over the place).

The Guardian - Music

Although people reported tornadoes in Syracuse, at Bethpage and Great Neck on Long Island and in Rahway, N.J., the National Weather Service officials said last evening that they could not definitively confirm that tornadoes had touched down in those spots.

The New York Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "definitively confirm" when you want to convey a sense of complete certainty and leave no room for doubt regarding the verification of information. It is especially useful in scientific or formal contexts.

Common error

Avoid using "definitively confirm" in casual conversation or informal writing, as it can sound overly formal or stilted. Opt for simpler alternatives like "confirm" or "verify" in such situations.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "definitively confirm" functions as a verb phrase, indicating a conclusive action of verification. According to Ludwig, it emphasizes complete certainty. It is commonly used to assert that something has been proven beyond doubt, as seen in various examples.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

Science

57%

News & Media

41%

Formal & Business

2%

Less common in

Encyclopedias

0%

Wiki

0%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "definitively confirm" is a grammatically correct and frequently used expression to indicate a complete and certain verification of information. Ludwig AI confirms its usability in formal contexts, particularly in science and news media. When writing, it's best to reserve this phrase for situations where absolute certainty is intended, avoiding overuse in casual or informal settings. Alternatives such as "unequivocally confirm" or "certainly confirm" may be suitable depending on the specific nuance you wish to convey.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

unequivocally confirm

This emphasizes that the confirmation is without any doubt or ambiguity. It is highly similar in meaning and formality.

conclusively confirm

Similar to decisively confirm, this emphasizes that the matter is settled by the confirmation, leaving no room for doubt.

decisively confirm

This alternative suggests that the confirmation settles a matter definitively, emphasizing the conclusive nature of the verification.

certainly confirm

This suggests a high degree of confidence in the confirmation, but may imply slightly less certainty than the original.

absolutely confirm

Similar to totally confirm, this emphasizes the complete and unconditional nature of the confirmation.

totally confirm

This alternative suggests a complete and absolute confirmation, but may lack the formal tone of the original phrase.

firmly confirm

This suggests a strong and resolute confirmation, indicating a solid basis for the verification.

entirely confirm

This alternative stresses the completeness of the confirmation, indicating that every aspect is verified.

clearly confirm

This indicates that the confirmation is easily understood and evident, focusing on the clarity of the verification.

surely confirm

This suggests a strong expectation of confirmation, indicating a high probability.

FAQs

How can I use "definitively confirm" in a sentence?

You can use "definitively confirm" to indicate a complete and certain verification of information, like "The test results "totally confirm" the diagnosis."

What are some alternatives to "definitively confirm"?

Depending on the context, you can use alternatives such as "unequivocally confirm", "certainly confirm", or "clearly confirm".

Is "definitively confirm" appropriate for informal writing?

While grammatically correct, "definitively confirm" might sound too formal in casual settings. Consider using simpler alternatives like "just confirm" or "verify".

What's the difference between "definitively confirm" and "strongly suggest"?

"Definitively confirm" indicates a complete and certain verification, whereas "strongly suggest" implies a high degree of likelihood but without absolute proof.