for greater certainty

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase 'for greater certainty' is correct and can be used in written English.
It is generally used to emphasize something that has already been stated in order to clarify and ensure that it is understood. For example, you might say, "The deadline for the project is Friday, for greater certainty."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Encyclopedias

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

9 human-written examples

The medication was an oral contraceptive called Enovid, introduced in 1960 by Searle to a nation of women increasingly eager for greater certainty in preventing unwanted pregnancies.

The New York Times - Science

Climate science on demand With emissions continuing to rise, governments looked to scientists for greater certainty on how climate change will play out at the local level.

The Guardian

And it argues that for "greater certainty this time" the evidence must be right, as Labour leader Ed Miliband has insisted "after much shilly-shallying", and Cameron "now appears to accept".

The Guardian

By the former, the federal legislature was given power to legislate for "the peace, order and good government of Canada," and "for greater certainty" 29 subjects of exclusive federal jurisdiction were listed.

Encyclopedia Britannica

"In as far as commercial broadcasters, and indeed publishers and other media owners, were looking for greater certainty that this kind of scrutiny can work, this is a very positive step," Ross Biggam, the director general of ACT, a lobbying group for commercial broadcasters that is based in Brussels, said of the British decision.

The New York Times - Tech

Blaney was referring to a section of the act that clarifies: "for greater certainty, [an activity that undermines the security of Canada] does not include lawful advocacy, protest, dissent and artistic expression," the bill reads.

Vice

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

51 human-written examples

Although perceivers do make assumptions about other minds even under conditions of relative ambiguity (Gilbert 1998), it is unlikely that they do so using the kind of rule-based processes that can be brought to bear more fruitfully for inferences of greater certainty.

Cerebral Cortex

Adrian Lowcock from investment company Hargreaves Lansdown told BBC Breakfast the move would offer people with mortgages a degree of greater certainty for the future.

BBC

Ah, detachment, that sweet old derelict aid to football enjoyment that could take you to a ground for no greater certainty than a glimpse of the beautiful game, for the thrill of seeing a master player.

Independent

The N e estimates around the spray rounds have the narrowest intervals providing evidence for the greater certainty of population contraction from May 2009 to July 2009 and from November 2009 to April 2010 intervals.

Evolutionary Applications

The discussed options for altering the current market design range from providing greater certainty for future carbon prices, overcapacity mechanisms for conventional as well as for renewable energy to a complete restructuring of the market design.

Europe's Energy Transition - Insights for Policy Making Findings Informing the European Commission

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "for greater certainty", ensure the statement being clarified is as precise and unambiguous as possible.

Common error

Avoid using "for greater certainty" in casual or informal writing. It can sound overly formal and stilted in everyday conversation or less formal correspondence. Instead, use simpler phrases like "to be clear" or "just to be sure".

Linguistic Context

The phrase "for greater certainty" functions as an introductory phrase or discourse marker. It signals that the speaker or writer is about to provide a clarification, restatement, or additional detail to ensure a clearer understanding of what has already been said. This usage is supported by Ludwig's analysis.

Expression frequency: Rare

Frequent in

News & Media

40%

Science

40%

Encyclopedias

20%

Less common in

Formal & Business

0%

Academia

0%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "for greater certainty" is a formal phrase used to introduce a clarification or restatement, aiming to minimize ambiguity and ensure clear understanding. Ludwig AI confirms the grammatical correctness and suggests its appropriateness in formal contexts such as legal documents, scientific reports, and occasionally news articles. While the phrase is not incorrect in other contexts, it may sound overly formal in informal settings. When considering alternatives, focus on options that also emphasize clarity and precision, such as "to ensure clarity" or "to clarify matters".

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

to ensure clarity

This alternative focuses on the outcome of making something clear, omitting the degree of assurance.

to clarify matters

This alternative places emphasis on the act of clarifying a situation, removing the explicit mention of increased assurance.

for added assurance

This alternative emphasizes the addition of assurance, rather than focusing on the certainty aspect.

to provide more clarity

This version focuses on offering additional clarity without directly stating an increase in certainty.

in order to be sure

This alternative expresses the purpose of ensuring correctness, but in a more conversational tone.

to avoid ambiguity

This alternative shifts the focus to preventing confusion rather than directly increasing certainty.

for the sake of clarity

This version is more formal, highlighting that clarity is the desired goal, with the omission of 'greater' or 'certainty'.

to establish beyond doubt

This phrase emphasizes the removal of any doubt, indicating a very high level of certainty.

for definitive confirmation

This option focuses on obtaining a final and conclusive confirmation, implying greater certainty.

to remove all ambiguity

This alternative aims to eliminate any potential for misinterpretation, focusing on removing ambiguity as a path to certainty.

FAQs

How can I use "for greater certainty" in a sentence?

Use "for greater certainty" to introduce a restatement or clarification of a previous statement. For example, "The contract is valid for five years; "for greater certainty", it expires on July 10, 2030".

What phrases can I use instead of "for greater certainty"?

You can use alternatives like "to ensure clarity", "to clarify matters", or "for added assurance" depending on the specific nuance you want to convey.

Is it appropriate to use "for greater certainty" in informal writing?

While grammatically correct, "for greater certainty" is generally more suited to formal writing. In informal contexts, consider using simpler phrases like "to be clear" or "just to be sure".

What distinguishes "for greater certainty" from "for more certainty"?

"For greater certainty" implies a higher degree of assurance and is often used in legal or technical contexts. "For more certainty" is less formal and suggests a general desire for increased assurance.