he definitely is

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "he definitely is" is a perfectly correct and usable form of written English.
You can use it when you want to emphasize that something is true or is certainly the case. For example: "I think he likes me, but he definitely is not ready for a relationship."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

28 human-written examples

"He definitely is".

The Guardian - Lifestyle

He definitely is a threat," Shaw said.

The Guardian - Sport

He definitely is for radical Islamic reform.

The New Yorker

He definitely is coming into his own".

The New York Times - Sports

But he definitely is navigating tumultuous times.

The New York Times

But he's very aggressive, and he definitely is a competitor.

The New York Times - Sports

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

32 human-written examples

No, he definitely wasn't, Alan.

The Guardian - Sport

But he definitely was, until very recently.

The New York Times

He definitely wasn't psychic, no.

The Guardian

He definitely was not considered a soft player".

The New York Times - Sports

"I've established he definitely wasn't George Clooney," he said.

The Guardian - Business

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When choosing between "he definitely is" and alternatives, consider the degree of emphasis you want to convey. Alternatives like "he certainly is" might be slightly more formal.

Common error

While "he definitely is" adds emphasis, avoid overusing adverbs in a single sentence. Too many adverbs can make your writing sound unnatural or forced. Choose your words carefully to convey the intended meaning without relying on excessive emphasis.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "he definitely is" functions as an affirmative expression, confirming a statement about a male subject. As noted by Ludwig, this phrase emphasizes the certainty or truthfulness of the assertion. It is used to express agreement or confirmation with conviction.

Expression frequency: Common

Frequent in

News & Media

80%

Science

10%

Formal & Business

5%

Less common in

Encyclopedias

1%

Wiki

1%

Reference

1%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "he definitely is" serves as a versatile affirmative expression, emphasizing the truth or certainty of a statement. Grammatically correct and commonly used, as validated by Ludwig, it functions to strongly confirm something about a male subject across various contexts. While alternatives like "he certainly is" exist, the choice depends on the desired level of formality and emphasis. As a piece of guidance, avoid overuse to maintain writing clarity. The phrase appears frequently in News & Media and Science contexts, exhibiting a neutral register suitable for both formal and informal communication.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

he certainly is

Emphasizes certainty, similar to "definitely", but can sound slightly more formal.

he absolutely is

Expresses a strong agreement or affirmation, stronger than "definitely".

he undoubtedly is

Implies that there is no question or doubt about the statement.

he really is

Simple affirmation, less emphatic than "definitely".

he clearly is

Indicates that something is obvious or easily perceived.

he obviously is

Similar to "clearly is", suggesting an easily noticeable fact.

he indeed is

A more formal way of expressing agreement or affirmation.

he truly is

Emphasizes the truthfulness of the statement.

he unquestionably is

Suggests there's no room for doubt or questioning.

he totally is

An informal way to express strong agreement.

FAQs

How can I use "he definitely is" in a sentence?

Use "he definitely is" to strongly affirm a statement about someone. For example, "I wasn't sure if he was serious, but he definitely is."

What are some alternatives to "he definitely is"?

You can use alternatives such as "he certainly is", "he absolutely is", or "he undoubtedly is" depending on the level of emphasis you want to convey.

Is "he definitely is" formal or informal?

"He definitely is" is generally considered neutral and can be used in both formal and informal contexts. The overall tone of your writing will determine its appropriateness.

What's the difference between "he definitely is" and "he definitely was"?

"He definitely is" refers to the present, while "he definitely was" refers to the past. Use "is" for something that is currently true and "was" for something that was true in the past.