is not as certain

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "is not as certain" is correct and usable in written English.
You can use it when comparing the level of certainty of two different statements or situations. Example: "The outcome of the experiment is not as certain as we initially thought."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Encyclopedias

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

21 human-written examples

Personal safety is not as certain as it once was in the days of the serenos (night watchmen).

Britannica

The future of football in China is not as certain as that of other sports with more traditional ties to the country.

The New York Times - Sports

Dr. Moore, who moderated the debate, said that archaeologists generally accepted the evidence that "a natural event had significant impact for people living around the Black Sea shores, but a more distant impact is not as certain".

The New York Times - Science

His election might not be the eruption of choice as far as his MPs are concerned, and perhaps as far as the voters are concerned, although that is not as certain as most commentators prematurely conclude.

Independent

Demonstrative knowledge, although certain, is not as certain as intuitive knowledge, according to Locke, because it requires effort and attention to go through the steps needed to recognize the certainty of the conclusion.

Encyclopedia Britannica

The outlook for the housing sector is not as certain as that for the energy sector.

Forbes

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

39 human-written examples

Pulisic's future isn't as certain.

Los Angeles Times

Others are not as certain as Calcavecchia.

The New York Times - Sports

On stocks, probably not, although I'm not as certain.

The New York Times

But the Israeli government has been slow to act on their requests, saying their ties to Judaism are not as certain as those of Ethiopians who clearly maintained their faith and were allowed to emigrate in the past.

The New York Times

NBC executives are not as certain as ESPN's that advertisers want to depart from the model that has brought in 25 million viewers in prime time through 12 days for these Games.

The New York Times - Sports

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "is not as certain" to express a comparative lack of confidence or predictability between two scenarios or outcomes. For example, "Investing in bonds is not as certain as investing in government-backed securities."

Common error

Avoid using "is not as certain" without a clear point of comparison. Always specify what the subject is less certain than. For instance, instead of saying "The project's success is not as certain", clarify with "The project's success is not as certain as we initially believed."

Linguistic Context

The phrase "is not as certain" functions primarily as a comparative adjective phrase. It is used to indicate that something has a lower degree of certainty compared to something else. Ludwig AI's examples confirm this usage across diverse contexts.

Expression frequency: Common

Frequent in

News & Media

55%

Science

25%

Encyclopedias

8%

Less common in

Academia

4%

Wiki

2%

Formal & Business

1%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "is not as certain" is a commonly used phrase that expresses a comparative lack of confidence or predictability. As Ludwig AI states, it's grammatically correct and appears frequently in news articles, scientific publications, and encyclopedias. When using this phrase, ensure a clear comparison point to avoid ambiguity. For alternative phrasing, consider options like "is less sure" or "remains uncertain", depending on the desired nuance. While versatile, its register is generally neutral, making it suitable for a wide range of writing contexts.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

is less sure

Indicates a lower degree of confidence or certainty.

is not as sure

Similar in meaning, but slightly more informal.

is more doubtful

Emphasizes the presence of doubt rather than just a lack of certainty.

is open to question

Highlights that the matter is debatable or not definitively settled.

remains uncertain

Focuses on the continuing state of uncertainty.

is questionable

Suggests there are reasons to doubt the validity or outcome.

is not guaranteed

Indicates a lack of assurance regarding a specific result or event.

is up in the air

Informal expression indicating that the outcome is still undecided.

is debatable

Highlights that different opinions or viewpoints are possible.

is tenuous

Suggests that the certainty relies on fragile or unstable conditions.

FAQs

How can I rephrase "is not as certain" in a sentence?

Alternatives include phrases like "is less sure", "remains uncertain", or "is questionable", depending on the specific context.

When is it appropriate to use the phrase "is not as certain"?

Use "is not as certain" when you want to express that something is less predictable or reliable compared to something else. It's suitable for situations where you want to highlight a comparative lack of confidence or assurance.

What's the difference between "is not as certain" and "is uncertain"?

"Is uncertain" simply states a lack of certainty, while "is not as certain" implies a comparison to something else. For example, "His future is uncertain" versus "His future "is not as certain" as hers".

Is "is not as certain" formal or informal?

"Is not as certain" is generally considered neutral in formality and can be used in both formal and informal contexts. However, more formal alternatives like "remains uncertain" might be preferred in highly formal writing.