difficult to say with certainty

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase 'difficult to say with certainty' is correct and can be used in written English.
You can use it when you are unsure of a particular conclusion or outcome but you don't want to make an absolute statement of fact. For example, "It is difficult to say with certainty why the two sides reached an agreement, but it appears to have been beneficial to both."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Encyclopedias

Wiki

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

19 human-written examples

It is difficult to say with certainty.

The Economist

Or is it, in truth, pretty difficult to say with certainty?

The Guardian

In nearly every circumstance it is extremely difficult to say with certainty why any given decision was taken.

The Guardian

"It looks like an 11-metre long adult minke whale, but it is difficult to say with certainty without seeing the underside of it," she said.

Independent

Although he noted that it was still difficult to say with certainty that it was indeed the end, Mr. Greenberg mused on what has been a singular month.

The New York Times

It is also difficult to say with certainty how much he gave every year, since his donations are listed as anonymous, which is not uncommon in the world of philanthropy, particularly among bigger contributors.

The New York Times

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

40 human-written examples

It is difficult to determine exactly what family each prokaryotic homolog belongs to, so it is hard to say with certainty what other groups of bacteria have phosphatidylinositol.

Biology Direct

Age: Hard to say with certainty.

The Guardian

This history is very complicated, so it is hard to say with certainty where the archaeal enzymes originated.

Biology Direct

It is difficult to say with any certainty.

The New York Times

"There are fourteen dozen different positions on each issue, and it is very difficult to say with any certainty which of the insiders support which position.

The New Yorker

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "difficult to say with certainty" when you want to acknowledge uncertainty without completely dismissing a possibility. It allows for nuance and avoids making unsubstantiated claims.

Common error

Avoid using "difficult to say with certainty" when the evidence strongly suggests a particular outcome. In such cases, acknowledge the predominant likelihood instead of exaggerating the level of doubt.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "difficult to say with certainty" functions as an epistemic hedge, softening a statement to reflect uncertainty or lack of definitive evidence. It acknowledges the complexity or ambiguity of a situation, rather than presenting a definitive conclusion. Ludwig AI confirms this phrase is correct and widely used.

Expression frequency: Common

Frequent in

News & Media

53%

Science

32%

Wiki

6%

Less common in

Encyclopedias

6%

Formal & Business

0%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "difficult to say with certainty" is a commonly used phrase to express uncertainty or a lack of definitive knowledge. Ludwig AI confirms its correctness and widespread use across various contexts. It functions as an epistemic hedge, softening statements and indicating caution. The phrase is most frequently found in news and media, science, and encyclopedia sources. When writing, it is advisable to use this phrase when you want to acknowledge uncertainty without dismissing possibilities, but avoid overstating uncertainty when the evidence suggests a likely outcome. Alternatives include "impossible to say with certainty" or "hard to say with certainty".

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

impossible to say with certainty

Indicates a stronger degree of impossibility in making a definitive statement.

hard to say with certainty

A more informal way to express difficulty in making a definitive statement.

difficult to determine with certainty

Focuses on the difficulty in reaching a certain conclusion through investigation.

not possible to state definitively

Highlights the inability to make a final or conclusive declaration.

cannot be stated with absolute assurance

Emphasizes the lack of complete confidence in the accuracy of a statement.

remains uncertain

A shorter phrase that indicates the subject is still not clearly defined.

difficult to ascertain

Highlights the challenges involved in finding something out for certain.

it's anyone's guess

Indicates a situation where the outcome is completely unpredictable.

the answer is elusive

Suggests that the solution or answer is hard to grasp or find.

subject to speculation

Indicates that the topic is open to interpretation and conjecture, without firm evidence.

FAQs

How can I use "difficult to say with certainty" in a sentence?

You can use "difficult to say with certainty" to express uncertainty about a particular outcome or conclusion. For instance, "It is difficult to say with certainty whether the new policy will be effective".

What are some alternatives to "difficult to say with certainty"?

Alternatives include "impossible to say with certainty", "hard to say with certainty", or "remains uncertain", depending on the specific nuance you want to convey.

Is it better to use "difficult to say with certainty" or "impossible to say with certainty"?

"Difficult to say with certainty" suggests a degree of uncertainty but leaves room for possibility, while "impossible to say with certainty" implies a complete inability to determine the outcome.

When should I use "difficult to say with certainty" in my writing?

Use "difficult to say with certainty" when you want to acknowledge that a definitive answer is not currently available due to limited information or complex factors influencing the situation.