essentially certain

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "essentially certain" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to express a high degree of confidence or assurance about something, while acknowledging that there may still be a slight possibility of doubt. Example: "After reviewing all the evidence, I am essentially certain that the project will be completed on time."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

4 human-written examples

In Bernanke's words: "The view was that failure was essentially certain in either case".

The New Yorker

But in the correspondence, longtime EPA toxicologist Marion Copley cites evidence from animal studies and writes: "It is essentially certain that glyphosate causes cancer".

Huffington Post

While the latest Pew Poll didn't compare beliefs, an earlier 2008 one did (see pages 162-164) and found that hundreds of thousands of Catholics are essentially certain there's no god, and fully 29percentt of them see God as only an impersonal force.

Huffington Post

ADAD thus presents a unique opportunity to examine experimental preventative therapies for AD: patients can be identified for whom the likelihood of future dementia is essentially certain and therapy can be initiated at predictable times in relation to measurable disease biomarkers.

Alzheimer's Research and Therapy

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

55 human-written examples

The legislation essentially legalized certain aspects of the program.

The New York Times

He said that Germany must insist on structural reform when it gives economic support, but if taken too far it could essentially make certain nations "wards of the German state".

The New York Times

These results essentially extend certain previous results.

Journal of Inequalities and Applications

Hidden chats will give users the ability to essentially "hide" certain conversations from their usage log, accessible only if you know a specified four-digit PIN.

TechCrunch

It is a defensible position that van Fraassen's case against metaphysics depends essentially on certain theses that, although they are not themselves metaphysical theses, are nevertheless open to many of the criticisms he brings against metaphysical theses.

SEP

For the federal government to essentially pay certain firms to keep workers on their payrolls, the money must come from somewhere, and those depressed in this scenario will be the most productive American firms not in need of a handout.

Forbes

This essentially denied certain families the opportunity to own homes in suburban neighborhoods until the practice was finally outlawed in 1968.

Huffington Post

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "essentially certain" when you want to convey a high degree of confidence about something, while acknowledging a small possibility of doubt. This is particularly useful in contexts where absolute certainty is difficult to achieve.

Common error

Avoid using "essentially certain" when the situation involves significant unknowns or variables. Using it in such contexts can mislead the reader and undermine your credibility.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "essentially certain" functions as an adjective phrase modifying a noun. It describes a state of near-complete confidence or assurance regarding a particular outcome or fact. Ludwig examples highlight its use in diverse contexts, from predicting outcomes to assessing risks.

Expression frequency: Rare

Frequent in

News & Media

50%

Science

50%

Formal & Business

0%

Less common in

Encyclopedias

0%

Wiki

0%

Academia

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "essentially certain" is a useful adjective phrase for expressing a high degree of confidence or assurance. As shown in the Ludwig examples, it appears in both News & Media and Scientific contexts. Ludwig AI validates its grammatical correctness. Although relatively infrequent, it effectively conveys a strong belief while acknowledging a small possibility of doubt. Alternatives include "virtually certain" and "highly likely". When using this phrase, avoid overstating certainty in situations involving significant unknowns.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

virtually certain

Similar in conveying near certainty but emphasizes the lack of practical doubt.

practically certain

Indicates certainty from a practical standpoint, allowing for theoretical doubt.

near certainty

Highlights the closeness to being completely sure about something.

almost guaranteed

Emphasizes a very high probability of occurrence or truth.

highly probable

Focuses on the high likelihood of something occurring.

very likely

Indicates a strong possibility without completely ruling out other outcomes.

in all likelihood

Expresses expectation based on available evidence and reasoning.

assuredly

Expresses confidence and conviction in a statement.

undoubtedly

Emphasizes the lack of doubt or question.

sure thing

Informal way to express something certain to happen.

FAQs

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

You can use "essentially certain" to express a strong belief or expectation that something will happen, while acknowledging a small chance of uncertainty. For example, "Based on the current data, it's essentially certain that the company will meet its quarterly goals."

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

Both phrases convey a high degree of confidence, but "essentially certain" may imply a slightly stronger assurance than "almost certain". "Essentially" suggests the core nature of the situation points to certainty, while "almost" simply indicates a near-complete state.

Are there situations where using "essentially certain" might not be appropriate?

Yes, avoid using "essentially certain" when the subject matter involves highly unpredictable events or when significant risks are present. In such cases, less assertive phrases like "likely" or "probable" would be more suitable.

What are some alternatives to "essentially certain" that I can use in my writing?

Depending on the context, you can use alternatives such as "virtually certain", "highly likely", or "practically certain" to convey a similar meaning. Choose the phrase that best fits the specific nuance you want to express.