is that certain

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "is that certain" is not standard in written English and may cause confusion.
It could be used when questioning the certainty or reliability of a statement or situation, but it is better to rephrase for clarity. Example: "I understand your point, but is that certain?"

News & Media

Science

Encyclopedias

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

58 human-written examples

The basic idea is that certain Nokia devices will include unlimited music downloads for a year.

TechCrunch

Instead, the idea is that certain causal facts non-causally determine the facts about what words refer to.

SEP

Another possibility is that certain individuals are immune.

Plosone

One possibility is that certain dietary variables may have substantial impacts only when nutritional deficiencies are severe.

Environmental Health Perspectives

Another possibility is that certain nucleotide transferases become activated under hypoxia and add nucleotides to certain miRNAs.

BMC Genomics

Another reason is that certain ominous dates are fast approaching.

The New York Times

What people don't know about Harlem is that certain areas have great demographics, great untapped spending.

The New York Times

The truth is that certain aspects of Barney's art do seduce, entertain and inspire me.

The Guardian - Arts

One thought is that certain crimes neatly encapsulate our fears at a particular time.

The New York Times

The result is that certain regions have become ignored and hosts to an underclass.

The Guardian - Opinion

One result of such widespread commercial contacts is that certain currencies acquired special international preeminence.

Encyclopedia Britannica

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

To enhance clarity when using the phrase "is that certain", consider rephrasing to specify what aspect you're questioning. For example, instead of saying "The outcome is positive, but is that certain?", try "The outcome is positive, but is that outcome guaranteed?" This provides a more direct focus for your inquiry.

Common error

Avoid using "is that certain" when you actually mean "is that true" or "is that correct". Certainty relates to the confidence in a statement, whereas truth and correctness relate to the accuracy of the information. Make sure your question matches the intent. Example: Instead of "The report says profits increased, but is that certain?" (if questioning the figures), use "The report says profits increased, but is that accurate?"

Linguistic Context

The phrase "is that certain" functions primarily as an interrogative expression. It's used to question the validity or reliability of a statement, situation, or prediction. As demonstrated by Ludwig, the phrase is often used in contexts where there's doubt or a need for reassurance.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

40%

Science

30%

Encyclopedias

10%

Less common in

Formal & Business

7%

Wiki

7%

Social Media

6%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "is that certain" is a versatile interrogative expression used to question the validity, reliability, or guarantee of a statement or situation. While grammatically acceptable, Ludwig indicates the phrase may cause some minor confusion, which can be mitigated by providing context or specifying the aspect being questioned. Found frequently in News & Media and Scientific contexts, the phrase maintains a neutral tone. When crafting content, it's useful to replace it with synonyms like "is that definite" or "is that guaranteed" based on intent. Overall, understanding the nuances of "is that certain" allows for its effective use in writing and communication.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

is that definite

Replaces 'certain' with 'definite', implying a firm and clear state.

is that guaranteed

Substitutes 'certain' with 'guaranteed', suggesting assurance or a promise.

is that assured

Uses 'assured' instead of 'certain', indicating confidence or a firm belief.

is that for sure

Adds 'for sure' to emphasize the confirmation or validation being sought.

can that be confirmed

Changes the structure to a question asking for confirmation instead of assuming certainty.

is that beyond doubt

Emphasizes the lack of uncertainty or questioning.

is there any doubt about that

Poses a question to challenge the certainty of a statement.

are we sure about that

Shifts the focus to the level of sureness or confidence regarding a specific matter.

is that an established fact

Replaces the general certainty with the requirement of an established fact.

is that beyond question

Replaces 'certain' with 'beyond question', suggesting an indisputable truth.

FAQs

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

You can use "is that certain" to express doubt or ask for confirmation about a statement or situation. For example, "They said they'll deliver it tomorrow, but "is that certain"?"

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

You can use alternatives like "is that definite", "is that guaranteed", or "are you sure about that" depending on the context.

Which is correct, "is that certain" or "is that for certain"?

"Is that certain" is generally more common and grammatically standard. "Is that for certain" is also used, but might be considered slightly more informal or emphatic.

What's the difference between "is that certain" and "are you certain"?

"Is that certain" questions the validity or reliability of information or a situation, while "are you certain" directly questions the speaker's confidence or belief in something.