it certainly means

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "it certainly means" is correct and usable in written English.
You can use it when you want to emphasize the significance or implication of something in a confident manner. Example: "When he said he would be late, it certainly means he won't make it to the meeting on time."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

37 human-written examples

It certainly means a lot higher than the 1.5% the market currently expects.

The New York Times

It doesn't mean you're enemies, but it certainly means you're not friends.

The New York Times - Sports

It certainly means a lot of the little things in life that one doesn't appreciate.

The New York Times

It certainly means that for us as a school community there is greater harmony.

The Guardian

It certainly means abandoning rhetoric and jargon that are familiar to leftwing activists but which utterly alienate most younger people.

The Guardian - Opinion

It certainly means reviewing our overseas deployments in dozens of countries, and insisting that deployments have well-defined objectives.

The New York Times

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

23 human-written examples

But it certainly meant the scarcity of money.

The New York Times

"It certainly meant a lot to them," Rivers said of the Knicks who, after having not won in Boston for five years, took both TD Garden games this season.

The New York Times - Sports

It certainly meant a lot to the players, as to what it will mean over the season, time will tell, but Arsenal and Arsene Wenger have finally broken their Jose Mourinho hoodoo.

BBC

Out of the blue, my mother said, "I don't know what gay means today, but it certainly meant something else in my time".

Huffington Post

Out of the blue, my mother said, "I don't know what gay means today, but it certainly meant something else in my time". Her voice was angry; her tone was one of disgust.

HuffPost

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "it certainly means" to clearly state the implications of a situation or statement, ensuring your audience understands the consequences or results. For example, "If the weather continues like this, "it certainly means" we'll have to cancel the picnic."

Common error

Avoid using "it certainly means" when the implication is not absolutely guaranteed or is based on assumptions. Use softer phrases like "it likely means" or "it probably suggests" when the outcome is less definite.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "it certainly means" functions as a declarative expression to indicate a direct consequence or a clear implication. It's used to convey a strong sense of certainty about what something implies, as supported by Ludwig examples.

Expression frequency: Common

Frequent in

News & Media

72%

Formal & Business

15%

Wiki

5%

Less common in

Science

3%

Encyclopedias

0%

Social Media

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "it certainly means" is a common and grammatically sound way to express a strong implication or consequence. As Ludwig AI indicates, it is suitable for various contexts, especially in news and media. When using this phrase, ensure that the level of certainty aligns with the situation to avoid overstatement. Alternatives such as "it definitely implies" or "it strongly suggests that" can be used when a more nuanced expression is needed. Pay attention to the context and audience to maintain clarity and accuracy in your writing.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

it definitely implies

Replaces "means" with "implies" and "certainly" with "definitely", slightly altering the strength of the statement.

it unequivocally indicates

Substitutes "certainly means" with a stronger, more formal expression emphasizing a clear indication.

it assuredly suggests

Uses "assuredly" instead of "certainly" and "suggests" instead of "means", conveying a confident suggestion.

it undeniably follows that

Presents the implication as an undeniable consequence, increasing the formality and emphasis.

it inevitably leads to

Focuses on the unavoidable outcome or consequence, shifting the focus from meaning to result.

it virtually guarantees

Replaces "means" with "guarantees", emphasizing a high degree of certainty about a future outcome.

it strongly points to

Emphasizes the suggestive nature of the evidence, rather than a definitive meaning.

it reasonably concludes

Indicates that a conclusion can be logically drawn, adding a sense of justification.

it strongly suggests that

Highlights the suggestive nature of the situation, rather than a definite conclusion.

it logically entails

Uses a more formal and technical term, "entails", indicating a logical consequence.

FAQs

How can I use "it certainly means" in a sentence?

Use "it certainly means" to emphasize a clear implication or consequence. For example, "If he missed the deadline, "it certainly means" he won't be considered for the promotion."

What are some alternatives to "it certainly means"?

You can use alternatives like "it definitely implies", "it undeniably follows that", or "it strongly suggests that" depending on the context.

Is it correct to say "it certainly means"?

Yes, "it certainly means" is a grammatically correct and commonly used phrase to express a strong implication or consequence.

What's the difference between "it certainly means" and "it probably means"?

"It certainly means" expresses a higher degree of certainty than "it probably means". Use ""it certainly means"" when you are confident about the implication, and "it probably means" when there is a chance of uncertainty.