Used and loved by millions

Since I tried Ludwig back in 2017, I have been constantly using it in both editing and translation. Ever since, I suggest it to my translators at ProSciEditing.

Justyna Jupowicz-Kozak

CEO of Professional Science Editing for Scientists @ prosciediting.com

it's a sure thing
Grammar usage guide and real-world examples

Table of contents

Usage summary

Human-verified examples

Expert writing tips

Linguistic context

Ludwig's wrap-up

Alternative expressions

FAQs

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

30 human-written examples

Which leads to the question: What if one's broker says it's a "sure thing"?

News & Media

Forbes

Still, Carney acknowledged that Obama's push on the issue "doesn't mean it's a sure thing, either.

News & Media

Huffington Post

CARLOTTA SAGNA -- It's a sure thing that "A," the mysterious title of Ms. Sagna's piece, has nothing to do with badges of dishonor.

News & Media

The New York Times - Arts

It's a sure thing that most of the folks clogging up the Labor Department's server were investors and traders trying to get a peek before the stock market opened at 9 30.

News & Media

The New Yorker

It's a sure thing that something is amiss.

News & Media

The New York Times - Books

Pop in the pod, push the button: it's a sure thing every time.

News & Media

The New York Times - Food

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

30 human-written examples

When this deal was put together by UBS in March, Moody's figured it was a sure thing and gave it a AAA rating.

News & Media

The New York Times

It was a sure thing.

News & Media

The New York Times

I thought it was a sure thing.

News & Media

The New York Times - Magazine

And he's right, it is a sure thing.

News & Media

The Guardian - Books

I believed it was a sure thing that my father would get a job.

News & Media

The New Yorker

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

In highly formal academic or legal documents, replace this idiom with more precise terms like "certainty" or "guaranteed outcome" to maintain a professional tone.

Common error

Avoid using "sure thing" as an adjective before a noun; instead use "surefire". For example, say "a surefire way" rather than "a sure thing way". Use "it's a sure thing" only as a standalone predicative phrase.

Antonio Rotolo, PhD

Digital Humanist | Computational Linguist | CEO @Ludwig.guru

Source & Trust

93%

Authority and reliability

4.8/5

Expert rating

Real-world application tested

Linguistic Context

The phrase "it's a sure thing" functions as a predicative nominal expression where 'it' is the dummy subject and 'a sure thing' acts as the complement. According to Ludwig, this structure is used to assert the truth value of a preceding or following proposition with 100% confidence.

Expression frequency: Common

Frequent in

News & Media

75%

Wiki & How-to

15%

Formal & Business

10%

Less common in

Science

Academic Research

Legal

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The analysis of "it's a sure thing" reveals a highly consistent and reliable idiom used across top-tier English publications. As seen in Ludwig AI examples, the phrase is favored by journalists to convey confidence in predictions ranging from market trends to cultural shifts. While it is grammatically simple, its power lies in its rhetorical impact—offering a sense of finality and reassurance. Writers should feel confident using it in media and business communication, though they should consider "<a href="/s/it+is+certain" target="_blank" rel="alternative">it is certain" for more rigid academic contexts.

More alternative expressions(10)

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

it is a certainty

Uses a more formal noun structure to denote factuality.

it's a safe bet

Adds a slight nuance of calculated risk or probability.

it's a given

Implies the fact is already accepted and requires no further proof.

it is guaranteed

Shifts to a passive verb form, sounding more official or contractual.

it's a lock

More informal, often used in sports or competitive contexts.

it's inevitable

Suggests that the outcome cannot be avoided.

it's a slam dunk

Idiomatic and highly informal, emphasizing an easy success.

it's a foregone conclusion

Implies the result was decided long before it actually happened.

it's set in stone

Focuses on the unchangeable nature of the outcome.

it's bound to happen

Focuses on the high likelihood of future occurrence.

FAQs

How to use "it's a sure thing" in a sentence?

You can use it to conclude a thought about a predictable result, such as: "With the current polling data, many analysts believe <a href="/s/it's+a+sure+thing" target="_blank" rel="alternative">it's a sure thing that the bill will pass".

What can I say instead of "it's a sure thing"?

Depending on the context, you can use alternatives like "<a href="/s/it's+a+certainty" target="_blank" rel="alternative">it's a certainty", "<a href="/s/it's+a+safe+bet" target="_blank" rel="alternative">it's a safe bet", or "<a href="/s/it+is+guaranteed" target="_blank" rel="alternative">it is guaranteed".

Is "it's a sure thing" appropriate for formal writing?

It is widely used in reputable journalism (like The New York Times), but for strictly academic or technical reports, "<a href="/s/it+is+certain" target="_blank" rel="alternative">it is certain" is often preferred.

What is the difference between "it's a sure thing" and "it's a given"?

While both imply certainty, "<a href="/s/it's+a+given" target="_blank" rel="alternative">it's a given" usually refers to a premise that is already accepted, whereas "it's a sure thing" often refers to a future prediction or outcome.

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Table of contents

Usage summary

Human-verified examples

Expert writing tips

Linguistic context

Ludwig's wrap-up

Alternative expressions

FAQs

Source & Trust

93%

Authority and reliability

4.8/5

Expert rating

Real-world application tested

Most frequent sentences:

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it's a sure thingGrammar usage guide and real-world examples

it's a sure thing
Grammar usage guide and real-world examples