have been certain

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "have been certain" is correct and usable in written English.
You can use it to express a state of being sure or confident about something that has been true over a period of time. Example: "I have been certain that this decision will lead to positive outcomes for our team."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Formal & Business

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

58 human-written examples

"There have been certain inquiries.

The New York Times

We all know that, but there have been certain boundaries.

The Guardian

They were running towards what might have been certain death.

The Guardian

There have been certain products that people have given me that don't work as they should.

The Guardian - Tech

Pooley teases Fullah: "You couldn't have been certain otherwise you wouldn't have needed to pray.

The Guardian

Then again, there do seem to have been certain … developments since 1933.

The Guardian

"There have been certain winners in recent years where we've all just scratched our heads".

The New York Times - Arts

For months, Republicans have been certain about their themes for the November election.

The New York Times

And since 1917 many have been certain that America would supply the armies of the saints.

The New Yorker

But in the recent years, they have been certain trends in form.

The New York Times

Mr. Kirkland said that no one could have been certain of the officers' innocence.

The New York Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "have been certain" when you want to express a past state of conviction that extends over a period of time. For emphasis, consider adding adverbs like "always", "absolutely", or "completely".

Common error

Avoid switching tenses inconsistently within a sentence. If you start with "have been certain", ensure the rest of the clause maintains a compatible tense, such as the past perfect or simple past, depending on the specific meaning you want to convey.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "have been certain" functions as a verb phrase indicating a state of assuredness or conviction about something over a period of time. As Ludwig AI explains, the phrase is correct and usable in written English. It serves to express a strong belief held in the past that continues to be relevant.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

57%

Science

21%

Formal & Business

19%

Less common in

Encyclopedias

2%

Wiki

1%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "have been certain" is a versatile verb phrase used to express a past state of strong belief or conviction. Ludwig AI confirms its correctness, and its high frequency across diverse sources, particularly in news and media, underscores its broad applicability. When using this phrase, ensure tense consistency and choose semantically aligned alternatives like "have been sure" or "have been convinced" to enrich your writing.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

have been sure

This alternative is a direct synonym, expressing the same level of confidence with slightly different wording.

have always believed

This implies a long-held conviction or belief.

have been convinced

This implies a stronger persuasion or belief regarding a past certainty.

have been confident

This suggests a belief in one's abilities or the likelihood of a positive outcome.

were of the firm belief

This presents an even more formal and emphatic way of expressing conviction.

had no doubt

This expresses a lack of uncertainty or reservation about something.

have fully expected

This conveys a strong anticipation or expectation of a particular event or outcome.

have anticipated

This implies prior knowledge and expectation, often based on evidence or reasoning.

have taken for granted

This suggests assuming something to be true without questioning or verifying it.

have been under the impression

This suggests a belief based on incomplete or possibly inaccurate information.

FAQs

How can I use "have been certain" in a sentence?

You can use "have been certain" to express a past state of conviction. For example, "American presidents "have been certain" they could contain North Korea."

What are some alternatives to "have been certain"?

Alternatives include phrases like "have been sure", "have been convinced", or "had no doubt", depending on the context.

Is it more formal to say "have been certain" or "have been sure"?

"Have been certain" and "have been sure" are similar in formality. The choice often depends on personal preference and the specific nuance you want to convey.

What's the difference between "have been certain" and "have been confident"?

"Have been certain" implies a firm belief or conviction about something's truth or existence. "Have been confident" suggests assurance in one's abilities or the likelihood of a favorable outcome.