in order to be certain

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "in order to be certain" is correct and usable in written English.
You can use it when expressing the purpose of taking an action to ensure certainty or clarity about something. Example: "I double-checked the calculations in order to be certain that the results were accurate."

✓ Grammatically correct

Science

News & Media

Academia

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

40 human-written examples

The Bicep2 team have spent three years analysing the signal in order to be certain.

The Guardian

Internal validation is necessary in order to be certain of adequate sampling times, flow rates and sampling volumes.

Journal of Pharmaceutical and Biomedical Analysis

What is the smallest number of socks you must take out of the drawer in order to be certain that you have a pair that match?

The Guardian

In order to be certain that their flares really are increasing rainfall, the researchers have to compare seeded clouds with similar, unseeded ones.

The Economist

But in order to be certain that your phone will disobey you in the event that you order it to make a prohibited copy, Google has to assert a veto over the entire operating environment.

The Guardian - Tech

Van Vliet says that she and her collaborators spent two years on these studies in order to be certain that they were observing mechanical effects and not something else.

MIT Technology Review

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

20 human-written examples

We will be intensifying our oversights in this area in order to be absolutely certain that facilities producing for Lowa abide by such conditions".

The Guardian - Lifestyle

They are focusing on the fact that, as a result of this Act, smelters have begun to embargo Congolese minerals in order to be absolutely certain they do not purchase raw materials from conflict mines.

Columbia University

This means ten samples per groups are required in order to be reasonably certain of detecting statistically significant (p<0.05) changes in protein expression at least 1.5 fold in size.

Plosone

However, in order to be more certain whether strains are circulating between cattle and wild animals, we need to cultivate mycobacteria and use genetic strain typing methods to characterise them accurately.

BMC Veterinary Research

In order to be more certain that the daycare is a good fit for your family, try talking to some of the other parents that bring their children to the daycare.

WikiHow

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When aiming for a formal tone in academic or scientific writing, the phrase "in order to be certain" is suitable for emphasizing the importance of accuracy and verification. Consider if simpler alternatives like "to ensure" might be more concise without sacrificing clarity.

Common error

While grammatically correct, "in order to be certain" can sound overly formal in casual conversation or informal writing. Opt for simpler alternatives like "to be sure" or "to make sure" for a more natural tone.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "in order to be certain" functions as an adverbial phrase of purpose, introducing a clause that explains the reason for an action. As confirmed by Ludwig AI, it indicates the aim or intention behind a particular action, emphasizing the desire for assurance or confirmation.

Expression frequency: Common

Frequent in

Science

40%

News & Media

32%

Academia

12%

Less common in

Wiki

8%

Formal & Business

8%

Unknown

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "in order to be certain" serves as a purpose connector, commonly used to express the rationale behind an action aimed at achieving assurance. As indicated by Ludwig AI, it is grammatically correct and finds frequent application across diverse domains like science, news, and academia. While versatile, it leans towards a formal tone, making it particularly suitable for explicit and precise communication. For more informal contexts, alternatives such as "to make sure" or "to be sure" might offer a more natural feel. With its well-defined function and wide range of applications, "in order to be certain" remains a valuable asset in conveying intent.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

to ensure certainty

Replaces the more verbose "in order to be" with the concise "to" and uses a noun form of "certain".

so as to be sure

Uses "so as to" instead of "in order to" and replaces "certain" with "sure".

to make sure

Simplifies the phrase with more common and direct language.

for assurance

Uses a prepositional phrase emphasizing the purpose of gaining assurance.

to verify

Employs a single verb that encapsulates the action of confirming something's truth.

to confirm

Similar to "to verify", but with a slightly broader implication of validating something.

to ascertain

A more formal synonym for finding something out for certain.

to guarantee

Emphasizes the act of providing a guarantee of accuracy or truth.

for verification purposes

Elaborates on the intent, highlighting it's a formal process or action

with the aim of certainty

Highlights the objective and the desired outcome in greater detail.

FAQs

How can I use "in order to be certain" in a sentence?

Use "in order to be certain" to introduce a reason for taking a specific action to ensure accuracy or confirmation. For example, "I double-checked the data, in order to be certain that the results were correct."

What are some alternatives to "in order to be certain"?

You can use phrases like "to ensure certainty", "to make sure", or "to verify" as alternatives to "in order to be certain", depending on the context.

Is "in order to be certain" formal or informal?

"In order to be certain" is generally considered a formal phrase. In less formal settings, simpler alternatives like "to be sure" or "to make sure" might be more appropriate.

When is it best to use "in order to be certain" over other options?

Use "in order to be certain" when you want to emphasize the deliberate and careful nature of an action taken to achieve a high degree of confidence in a result or conclusion, especially in academic, scientific, or formal contexts.