it is not certain that

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "it is not certain that" is correct and usable in written English.
It is used to express doubt about the likelihood of something being true or happening. For example, "It is not certain that the new drug will have the desired effect on patients."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Encyclopedias

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

57 human-written examples

"But it is not certain, that is for sure".

The New York Times - Sports

While TAAR1 is inactivated in dogs, it is not certain that its function has been lost.

BMC Evolutionary Biology

It is not certain that they will next time.

The Economist

It is not certain that any now do.

The Economist

It is not certain that Mr Bush will think so.

The Economist

Yet it is not certain that Europe could be effective.

The Economist

It is not certain that they have a common origin.

Encyclopedia Britannica

But it is not certain that can be done.

The New York Times - Science

It is not certain that he will play Wednesday.

The New York Times - Sports

But it is not certain that they will succeed.

The New York Times

It is not certain that doing more will achieve more.

The New York Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When expressing uncertainty, ensure that the context provides enough information for the reader to understand the basis of the doubt. For example, instead of simply stating "It is not certain that the project will succeed", elaborate with "It is not certain that the project will succeed, given the current budget constraints".

Common error

Avoid overuse of passive constructions when using "it is not certain that". Instead of "It is not certain that a decision will be made", consider a more direct formulation like "The committee is not certain whether to make a decision", which enhances clarity and engagement.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "it is not certain that" functions as a hedge, softening a statement and expressing uncertainty. As demonstrated by Ludwig, the phrase is frequently used to introduce an element of doubt or possibility.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

42%

Science

37%

Encyclopedias

7%

Less common in

Wiki

3%

Formal & Business

2%

Social Media

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "it is not certain that" serves as a hedge, expressing uncertainty or doubt across various contexts. As Ludwig AI confirms, it's grammatically correct and widely used. Our analysis reveals its prominence in News & Media and Science, highlighting its utility in qualifying statements. Related phrases like "it is doubtful that" and "it remains to be seen if" offer nuanced alternatives. While avoiding overuse of the passive voice is recommended, the phrase remains a valuable tool for conveying tentativeness in both formal and informal writing. As Ludwig's examples reveal, the phrase has high utility and adaptability.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

it is uncertain whether

Replaces "certain" with "uncertain", focusing specifically on doubt about a binary outcome.

it is doubtful that

Uses "doubtful" to express a stronger sense of skepticism.

it is questionable whether

Highlights the debate or controversy surrounding the certainty.

it remains to be seen if

Emphasizes that the outcome is yet to be determined and will become clear over time.

it's not clear whether

Uses "clear" to suggest a lack of clarity or understanding.

the outcome is not assured

Focuses on the lack of guarantee or assurance about the result.

there's no guarantee that

Directly states the absence of a guarantee.

it is unlikely that

Indicates a low probability of something happening.

it is improbable that

Suggests an even lower probability than "unlikely".

it's open to question if

Highlights that the matter is still under discussion and not definitively settled.

FAQs

How can I use "it is not certain that" in a sentence?

The phrase "it is not certain that" is used to express uncertainty or doubt about a future event or a present situation. For example, "It is not certain that the meeting will take place" indicates doubt about the meeting happening.

What are some alternatives to "it is not certain that"?

You can use alternatives such as "it is doubtful that", "it is uncertain whether", or "it remains to be seen if" depending on the level of uncertainty you want to convey.

Is "it is not certain that" formal or informal?

"It is not certain that" is generally considered neutral and can be used in both formal and informal contexts. However, in very informal settings, you might opt for simpler phrases like "I'm not sure that".

What's the difference between "it is not certain that" and "it is impossible that"?

"It is not certain that" implies a degree of doubt or uncertainty, while "it is impossible that" suggests that something cannot happen under any circumstances. The first expresses doubt; the second, impossibility.