it is certainly so

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "it is certainly so" is correct and usable in written English.
You can use it to affirm or emphasize that something is indeed true or accurate. Example: "After reviewing all the evidence, I can confidently say that it is certainly so that the project will be completed on time."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

2 human-written examples

This was the case with Picasso, and it is certainly so with Jasper Johns, who for 40 years has frustrated our attempts to reconcile the contradictions in his difficult, hermetic, and yet highly public art.

The New Yorker

It is certainly so for the subject of this paper, the wood mouse (Apodemus sylvaticus), because this small, nocturnal rodent often occupies home ranges that are vast in comparison to its body size [ 2].

BMC Ecology

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

57 human-written examples

It was certainly so even in the winter of 1775, as Edmund Burke spoke on the floor of parliament at a time when England decided to send an army and a navy to put down the American rebellion.

Huffington Post

And whilst Ms Stout may be right to say that Britain is "an also-ran in the global race for corporate competitiveness", it is certainly less so than it was before those changes, let alone a decade ago.

The Economist

But Europe's economic outlook remains less bad than America's; and it is certainly not so dire as to justify the current weakness of the euro.That said, European policymakers do seem to have been too complacent.

The Economist

It is certainly not so".

BBC

"He likes us to go and express themselves and it is certainly working so far".

BBC

Rationale behind such thought is that the space between L1 and L4 may be conceptualized as a continuum in physical terms, but it is certainly not so in terms of pre-existing politico-administrative structures.

Environmental Management

And that's certainly so.

The New Yorker

That was certainly so in the bathroom.

The New Yorker

It is, certainly, risky, but so are many activities, like mining or flying an airplane.

The New York Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "it is certainly so" to affirm a statement when you want to emphasize your agreement or confirmation, particularly in formal or semi-formal contexts.

Common error

Avoid using "it is certainly so" in casual conversations or informal writing, as it can sound overly formal or stilted. Opt for simpler, more natural expressions like "that's true" or "definitely" in those situations.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "it is certainly so" functions as an affirmative statement, used to strongly confirm or agree with a previous statement or assertion. Ludwig AI shows examples in various contexts, all indicating a sense of agreement or validation.

Expression frequency: Rare

Frequent in

News & Media

60%

Science

30%

Formal & Business

10%

Less common in

Encyclopedias

0%

Wiki

0%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "it is certainly so" serves to emphatically affirm a preceding statement, but as Ludwig highlights, its usage is infrequent, making it a relatively uncommon expression. While grammatically sound, it leans toward a neutral to formal register, rendering it most suitable for professional, news, or scientific contexts. For more casual settings, alternatives like "that's definitely the case" or "it's absolutely true" might be more fitting. Ludwig AI confirms the phrase's validity while underscoring the importance of choosing appropriate wording for different communication styles.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

that is definitely the case

Replaces "it is" with "that is" and uses "definitely" instead of "certainly" for emphasis.

that is undoubtedly true

Substitutes "certainly" with "undoubtedly" and "so" with "true" to convey strong agreement.

it is absolutely true

Replaces "certainly" with "absolutely" to intensify the affirmation.

it is indeed the situation

Uses "indeed" for confirmation and replaces "so" with "the situation" for a more formal tone.

that is most assuredly correct

Employs "most assuredly" instead of "certainly" and "correct" instead of "so", adding a layer of formality.

it is undeniably the truth

Replaces "certainly" with "undeniably" and "so" with "the truth" to highlight the incontrovertible nature.

it is patently obvious

Substitutes the entire phrase with a more direct expression of obviousness.

that's undeniably right

Uses a contraction and replaces "certainly so" with "undeniably right" for a more casual tone.

it is beyond question

Expresses certainty by stating that something is not open to debate.

that much is certain

Reorders the phrase and uses a more concise way of expressing certainty.

FAQs

How can I use "it is certainly so" in a sentence?

You can use "it is certainly so" to emphasize the truth or validity of a previous statement. For example, "The data supports the hypothesis, and "it is certainly so" that further research is warranted."

What phrases are similar to "it is certainly so"?

Similar phrases include "that is definitely the case", "it is absolutely true", and "that is undoubtedly true". Each carries a similar meaning of affirmation but may vary slightly in emphasis or formality.

Is "it is certainly so" appropriate for all types of writing?

While grammatically correct, "it is certainly so" is more suited for formal writing or situations where emphasis is desired. In informal contexts, simpler alternatives like "that's true" or "definitely" may be more appropriate.

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

"It is certainly so" expresses a high degree of confidence and assurance, while "it is probably so" indicates a degree of likelihood but not absolute certainty. Use "it is certainly so" when you are very sure of something, and "it is probably so" when there is a good chance of something being true, but you are not entirely certain.