it's pretty certain

USAGE SUMMARY

"it's pretty certain" is correct and usable in written English.
You can use this phrase when you are certain that something is true or likely to happen. For example: "It's pretty certain that the basketball team will make it to the playoffs this year."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

27 human-written examples

THERE are not a lot of firm bets in this year's Tony races, but it's pretty certain that Tracy Letts will need to make a little more room on his expanding awards shelf.

The New York Times

John Carroll Lynch plays Twisty the Clown We've already been scared to our core with that terrifying teaser, so it's pretty certain that Lynch's evil, murderous clown will be a nightmare.

Huffington Post

It's pretty certain that he will be a part of his master's rumored return.

Huffington Post

"It's pretty certain," he said.

The New York Times - Sports

If he was alive, it's pretty certain that Michael Jackson would be appearing on the season finale; as it is Prince has been tempted out of retirement.

Independent

If in fact the photos are now gone, as reported above, I would say that it's pretty certain he is gone, too".

The New Yorker

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

32 human-written examples

In a letter of August 1898 to Mrs HG Wells, Gissing wrote about his elder son Walter, then aged six: "It is pretty certain that the child's life is endangered whilst he remains with that madwoman.

The Guardian - Books

Given that around one in four people are thought to suffer from mental health problems each year, it is pretty certain that a reasonable proportion of those who are mentally ill will end up practising science.

The Guardian

It is pretty certain that the fans did not travel to the Mitchel Athletic Complex in Uniondale, N.Y., last Saturday to see only the last-place Power, which has now lost six straight matches.

The New York Times - Sports

For this reason it is pretty certain that, left to his own devices, George Osborne would not wish to accept the Committee on Climate Change's carbon budget advice this time.

The Guardian

"It is pretty certain that if the London economy does hiccup there will be a slowdown in immigration to Britain," says John Salt, head of the Migration Research Unit at University College London.London may also become less popular with rich foreigners, who have given it an increasingly plutocratic feel in recent years.

The Economist

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "it's pretty certain" to express a strong belief or expectation about a future event or current situation, but be mindful that it doesn't convey absolute certainty. Consider the context and adjust the phrasing if a higher level of assurance is needed.

Common error

Avoid using "it's pretty certain" when the situation involves significant unknowns or risks. If there's a chance of error, opt for more moderate expressions like "it's likely" or "it's probable".

Linguistic Context

The phrase "it's pretty certain" functions as an adverbial phrase modifying an implied verb, indicating a high degree of confidence or probability. Ludwig AI confirms its usability in written English.

Expression frequency: Common

Frequent in

News & Media

79%

Wiki

9%

Formal & Business

3%

Less common in

Science

3%

Reference

3%

Encyclopedias

3%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "it's pretty certain" is a common phrase used to convey a strong belief or expectation, as validated by Ludwig AI. While grammatically correct and widely understood, its informality makes it more suitable for news articles and general conversation than formal academic or business writing. As Ludwig's examples show, it's best to reserve this phrase for situations where a high, but not absolute, degree of confidence is warranted. For more formal contexts, consider alternatives like "it's highly probable" or "it's virtually certain".

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

it's very likely

A more direct synonym, highlighting the high probability of something.

it's all but certain

Indicates that something is very close to being completely certain.

it's highly probable

Emphasizes a higher degree of likelihood than "it's pretty certain".

it's virtually certain

Suggests an extremely high degree of confidence, close to absolute certainty.

it's reasonably certain

Suggests a level of certainty based on available information.

it's almost guaranteed

Indicates a very strong likelihood, nearing certainty.

it's a safe bet

Implies that the outcome is predictable and reliable.

it's a sure thing

Indicates that something is guaranteed to happen.

it's beyond doubt

Emphasizes the lack of any uncertainty.

it's a foregone conclusion

Indicates an inevitable outcome that is already determined.

FAQs

How can I use "it's pretty certain" in a sentence?

You can use "it's pretty certain" to express a strong belief or expectation. For example, "It's pretty certain that the meeting will be postponed due to the weather conditions".

What are some alternatives to "it's pretty certain"?

Some alternatives include "it's very likely", "it's highly probable", or "it's almost guaranteed", depending on the context and the level of certainty you want to convey.

Is "it's pretty certain" formal or informal?

"It's pretty certain" is generally considered informal. In more formal contexts, you might prefer phrases like "it is highly probable" or "it is virtually certain".

What's the difference between "it's pretty certain" and "it's certain"?

"It's pretty certain" indicates a high degree of confidence but acknowledges a small possibility of error. "It's certain" implies absolute certainty, leaving no room for doubt.