is certain

USAGE SUMMARY

"is certain" is correct and usable in written English.
You can use it to emphasize that something is definite and without a doubt. For example: "It is certain that I will be attending the meeting tomorrow."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Formal & Business

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

38 human-written examples

That much is certain.

The New York Times - Sports

Little is certain here.

The New York Times

Still, nothing is certain.

The New York Times

"That is certain".

The New York Times

But nothing is certain.

The New York Times

• Nothing is certain.

The New York Times - Sports

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

22 human-written examples

"I am certain — certain!

The New York Times

Were certain illustrations requested?

The New Yorker

There are certain constants.

The New Yorker

"I am certain".

The New York Times

Complications, however, are certain.

The Economist

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "is certain" to convey a high degree of confidence or inevitability about a particular outcome or situation. Avoid overuse in contexts requiring nuanced expressions of probability.

Common error

Avoid using "is certain" when discussing hypothetical situations or conditions where the outcome is not yet determined. Instead, use phrases like "is likely" or "is probable" to reflect the uncertainty.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "is certain" functions as a linking verb followed by an adjective, serving to attribute a state of definiteness or inevitability to a subject. Ludwig's examples show how it asserts a strong degree of confidence or assurance.

Expression frequency: Common

Frequent in

News & Media

68%

Science

13%

Formal & Business

7%

Less common in

Encyclopedias

5%

Wiki

2%

Academia

2%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "is certain" is a common and grammatically correct expression used to convey a high degree of confidence or inevitability. As confirmed by Ludwig AI, it's suitable for use in various contexts, particularly in news, science, and formal business settings. While versatile, it's essential to avoid misusing it in conditional statements where the outcome is not yet determined. Alternatives like "is definite" or "is assured" can be used for nuanced expression. Top authoritative sources like The New York Times and The Economist frequently employ this phrase.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

is definite

Replaces "certain" with "definite", emphasizing the lack of ambiguity.

is assured

Focuses on the guarantee or promise of something happening.

is guaranteed

Highlights the secured or protected nature of an outcome.

is inevitable

Stresses the unavoidable nature of a situation.

is beyond doubt

Emphasizes that there is no room for questioning.

is undeniable

Focuses on the impossibility of refuting or denying something.

is without question

Highlights that there is no uncertainty involved.

is a foregone conclusion

Indicates that the outcome is already decided or predictable.

is set in stone

Implies that a decision or plan is unchangeable.

is a sure thing

Uses an informal idiom to express a high degree of confidence.

FAQs

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

You can use "is certain" to express a high degree of confidence about something. For example, "It is certain that the sun will rise tomorrow."

What are some alternatives to "is certain"?

Alternatives include "is definite", "is assured", or "is inevitable" depending on the context.

When is it appropriate to use "is certain" versus "is likely"?

"Is certain" implies a near 100% probability, whereas "is likely" suggests a high but not guaranteed probability. Use "is likely" when there's still a chance of a different outcome.

Is it correct to say "was certain" instead of "is certain"?

Yes, "was certain" is the past tense form of "is certain" and is used to describe a past state of certainty. For example, "He was certain he had locked the door."