fairly certain

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "fairly certain" is correct and is often used in written English.
You can use it when you are certain of something but not entirely sure. For example, "I'm fairly certain that the sun will rise tomorrow."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Academia

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

One thing seems fairly certain.

The New York Times

"I'm fairly certain it doesn't.

The New Yorker

I am fairly certain this is incorrect.

Princeton University

But I'm fairly certain that doesn't count.

The New York Times

"I'm fairly certain he did it".

The New York Times

I'm fairly certain she won't mind".

The New York Times

We are fairly certain that goes quickly.

The New York Times

I'm fairly certain they've already moved on.

The Guardian - Lifestyle

I'm fairly certain everything else still applies.

The Guardian - Sport

Fairly certain he will have a good read.

Stanford University

The Knicks are fairly certain about the first part.

The New York Times - Sports

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "fairly certain" when you want to express a strong belief or expectation, but without claiming absolute certainty. This adds a layer of nuance and avoids overstating your confidence.

Common error

Avoid using "fairly certain" when the situation demands absolute certainty or verifiable facts. In such cases, it's better to present evidence or qualify your statement appropriately.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "fairly certain" functions as an adjective phrase that modifies a verb or noun, expressing a degree of confidence or assurance. Ludwig and Ludwig AI examples demonstrate its role in conveying a belief that is strong but not absolute.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

40%

Academia

30%

Science

15%

Less common in

Formal & Business

5%

Wiki

5%

Reference

5%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "fairly certain" is a versatile expression used to convey a sense of confidence without claiming absolute certainty. As Ludwig and Ludwig AI confirm, it is grammatically correct and frequently used across various contexts, including news, academia, and general conversation. Its neutral register makes it appropriate for diverse audiences. When writing, use "fairly certain" to express a qualified opinion or prediction, acknowledging the possibility of being mistaken. Remember to avoid overstating your confidence and use the phrase judiciously in situations demanding verifiable facts. Alternatives such as "reasonably sure", "pretty confident", and "quite sure" can add nuance to your writing, so consider these based on the context and desired formality.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

pretty sure

Informal alternative using "pretty" to modify "sure", implying a good level of confidence.

reasonably sure

Replaces "certain" with "sure" and "fairly" with "reasonably", indicating a similar level of confidence.

mostly sure

Simple substitution of "fairly" to "mostly", maintaining the overall meaning and tone.

reasonably confident

Combines "reasonably" and "confident" for a slightly more formal and nuanced expression of assurance.

pretty confident

Uses "confident" instead of "certain", and "pretty" as a synonym for "fairly", conveying a slightly more informal tone.

somewhat sure

Replaces "fairly" with "somewhat", indicating a slightly weaker level of certainty.

quite sure

Employs "quite" to modify "sure", offering a similar level of assurance as "fairly certain".

mostly convinced

Expresses a state of being convinced to a large extent, akin to being fairly certain.

largely convinced

Shifts from "certain" to "convinced", suggesting a belief based on evidence or reasoning.

generally convinced

Employs "generally" to indicate the extent of being convinced, providing a nuanced alternative.

FAQs

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

You can use "fairly certain" to express a strong belief or expectation that something is true or will happen. For example, "I'm fairly certain I locked the door" or "We are fairly certain that the project will be completed on time".

What can I say instead of "fairly certain"?

You can use alternatives like "reasonably sure", "pretty confident", or "quite sure" depending on the specific context and desired level of formality.

Is it better to say "fairly certain" or "absolutely certain"?

"Fairly certain" implies a strong belief without absolute proof, while "absolutely certain" indicates complete conviction and certainty. Choose the phrase that best reflects your actual level of confidence and the available evidence.

What is the difference between "fairly certain" and "somewhat certain"?

"Fairly certain" suggests a higher degree of confidence than "somewhat certain". "Fairly" indicates a stronger level of assurance compared to "somewhat", implying a greater likelihood of being correct.