is certain with

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "is certain with" is not correct and does not convey a clear meaning in written English.
It may be intended to express certainty about something, but the construction is awkward and unclear. Example: "She is certain with her decision" would be better phrased as "She is certain about her decision."

⚠ May contain grammatical issues

News & Media

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

14 human-written examples

The only thing that is certain with Smith is that his stint will not be boring.

The New York Times - Sports

I don't know where they will end up, but one thing is certain: with me around, at least they'll know where they came from.

The New York Times - Magazine

One thing is certain: with the increasing incidence of legal action – namely expatriate workers suing their companies and organisations when they experience traumatic events such as kidnap – companies, charities and contractors simply cannot afford to turn a blind eye.

The Guardian - Opinion

But as always, nothing is certain with the App Store.

TechCrunch

And he also feels Doncaster, who are bottom of Pool A, have shown nothing is certain with their impressive display in losing to London Welsh last week.

BBC

For just a few panicky days Apophis became the first and so far only near-Earth object to reach four on the Torino scale of impact hazards, where zero equals next to no risk and 10 means that a collision is certain with something big enough to threaten the planet.

BBC

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

44 human-written examples

She was certain, with what my father always described as an animal, instinctive fear, that the moment I was borne aloft, I would perish.

The New York Times - Books

Although Harald Heubaum from Univeristy of London did say that you can never be certain with energy markets - very few people predicted the shale boom in the US.

The Guardian

The Scotland international picked out the rampaging van der Merwe who crossed for a morale-boosting score, and Russell was certain with the conversion.

BBC

He said he was certain, with no doubts at all, about the accuracy of his identification of Howell.

Vice

"I'm certain with these early and unprecedented investments we can achieve Republican victories up and down the ballot now and for years to come".

Huffington Post

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Avoid using the phrase "is certain with" in formal writing. Opt for grammatically correct alternatives like "is certain about", "is sure of", or "is confident in" to ensure clarity and credibility.

Common error

The most common error is using the preposition 'with' after 'certain'. Remember that 'certain' typically requires 'about' or 'of' to connect to the object of certainty. Saying "is certain with" can confuse readers and undermine your message.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "is certain with" functions as a declarative statement, aiming to express a state of conviction. However, Ludwig AI indicates it is grammatically incorrect, affecting its effectiveness.

Expression frequency: Uncommon

Frequent in

News & Media

40%

Science

30%

Formal & Business

10%

Less common in

Wiki

10%

Academia

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "is certain with" is deemed grammatically incorrect by Ludwig AI, which impacts its clarity and effectiveness in communication. Although examples appear across various contexts like News & Media and Science, it's crucial to recognize and avoid this construction in favor of grammatically sound alternatives such as "is certain about", "is sure of", or "is confident in". Despite its uncommon usage, authoritative sources like The New York Times occasionally feature it, highlighting the importance of understanding its flaws and opting for standard English to ensure clear and credible writing. By addressing common errors and implementing best practices, writers can enhance their message and avoid potential confusion.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

is certain about

Replaces 'with' with 'about' to adhere to standard English grammar when expressing certainty regarding a topic or decision.

is sure of

Uses 'sure' instead of 'certain', maintaining a similar level of confidence but with a more common and grammatically sound structure.

is confident in

Employs 'confident' to convey assurance, shifting the focus from a fixed certainty to a stronger belief or expectation.

is convinced of

Suggests a firm belief based on evidence or reasoning, implying a stronger degree of persuasion than simple certainty.

is assured of

Indicates a state of being guaranteed or promised something, differing from simple certainty in that it involves external assurance.

has no doubt about

Expresses a complete lack of uncertainty, emphasizing the absence of any questioning or skepticism.

firmly believes in

Shifts the context to belief rather than certainty, suggesting a strong conviction often based on personal values or principles.

definitely knows

Uses 'definitely knows' to highlight a state of knowing something without any ambiguity or doubt.

is positive that

Replaces 'certain' with 'positive', creating a more emphatic declaration of certainty.

is without question

Emphasizes that something is undeniably true, removing any possibility of debate or doubt.

FAQs

What's the correct way to express certainty using the word "certain"?

The correct way to express certainty is to use "certain about" or "certain of". For example, "I am certain about my decision" or "I am certain of the facts". Avoid using "is certain with".

What can I say instead of "is certain with"?

Instead of "is certain with", use alternatives like "is certain about", "is sure of", or "is confident in". The choice depends on the specific context.

Is "is certain with" grammatically correct?

No, "is certain with" is not grammatically correct. The correct prepositions to use with "certain" are "about" or "of". Using "is certain with" can sound awkward and unclear.

How does the meaning change when I use "is certain about" instead of "is certain with"?

Using "is certain about" ensures grammatical correctness and clarity. "Is certain with" is non-standard and might not be understood, while "is certain about" clearly conveys assurance regarding a particular subject.