it is only certain that

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "it is only certain that" is not correct in standard written English.
It can be used when expressing a limited degree of certainty about a situation or outcome. Example: "While many factors are in play, it is only certain that some changes will occur."

⚠ May contain grammatical issues

Science

News & Media

Encyclopedias

Wiki

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

4 human-written examples

Exactly where an electron passed through the slit is unknown; it is only certain that an electron went through somewhere.

Encyclopedia Britannica

Of the other ruins, it is only certain that the ancient Roman Theatre still stands - because it was used as a backdrop for executions by Isis.

Independent

It is only certain that it was presented to the king the year it was dated, 1546.

Wikipedia

It is only certain that astrocytes do occur in this system [ 4].

Cognitive Computation

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

56 human-written examples

At this time, it was only certain that Peale would visit Paris a visit to England, with instruction at local mints and refineries, was still under discussion.

Wikipedia

She shakes her head: "I was only certain that she had to be a woman".

The Guardian

For not only can the argument from evil be formulated in terms of specific evils, but that is the natural way to do so, given that it is only certain types of evils that are generally viewed as raising a serious problem with respect to the rationality of belief in God.

SEP

She is only certain that she won't vote for a Republican.

The Guardian

The company argues that it was only certain trees that could not be cut past that date, not all trees.

The Washington Post

It's very alienating, and it's very unfair, because it's only certain people that have to do that.

Huffington Post

" It's only certain medication that we have to buy.

BMC Health Services Research

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When aiming for formal writing, consider restructuring the sentence to use stronger verbs or more precise nouns to convey certainty. For instance, replace "it is only certain that" with "it is evident that" or "the evidence suggests".

Common error

Avoid using "it is only certain that" repeatedly in your writing, as it can make your text sound hesitant and weaken your message. Instead, vary your expressions by using stronger verbs or rephrasing the sentence to emphasize the information directly.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "it is only certain that" functions as a hedge, limiting the scope or degree of certainty being expressed. While understandable, Ludwig AI notes that it's often better to rephrase for increased clarity and impact.

Expression frequency: Rare

Frequent in

News & Media

30%

Science

30%

Encyclopedias

20%

Less common in

Wiki

20%

Formal & Business

0%

Academia

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, while the phrase "it is only certain that" is understandable, it's not considered grammatically optimal. Ludwig AI points out this phrasing "is not correct" in standard written English, recommending alternatives for clearer and more impactful communication. Its frequency is rare, and while it appears across diverse sources such as News & Media, Science and Encyclopedias, consider rephrasing using stronger verbs or more direct statements for better clarity.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

it is only sure that

Replaces "certain" with "sure", offering a slightly less formal synonym while maintaining the core meaning.

it is only definite that

Substitutes "certain" with "definite", emphasizing a firm but limited assurance.

it is only known that

Focuses on the limit of knowledge rather than certainty, highlighting what is established.

it is only evident that

Replaces "certain" with "evident", indicating that something is obvious or apparent, but only to a degree.

it is only clear that

Similar to "evident", "clear" emphasizes a lack of ambiguity, but within specific boundaries.

it is only assured that

Uses "assured" to convey a sense of limited confidence or guarantee.

it is only guaranteed that

Substitutes "certain" with "guaranteed", implying a limited warranty or promise.

it is only factual that

Highlights that something is true based on facts, but within a constrained context.

it is only positive that

Conveys a limited affirmation or confirmation about a specific aspect.

the only certainty is that

Restructures the phrase to emphasize that certainty is limited to the stated fact.

FAQs

What are some alternatives to "it is only certain that"?

Alternatives include "it is only clear that", "it is only evident that", or restructuring the sentence for stronger emphasis.

Is "it is only certain that" grammatically correct?

While understandable, "it is only certain that" is not considered the most grammatically sound phrasing. Ludwig suggests the phrase "is not correct" in standard written English, favoring alternatives for better clarity and impact.

How can I use "it is only certain that" in a sentence?

While possible, it's better to rephrase for clarity. For example, instead of "It is only certain that some changes will occur", consider "Some changes are certain to occur".

What does "it is only certain that" imply?

It implies a limited degree of assurance or knowledge. However, there are stronger and clearer ways to express limited certainty, such as "it is only clear that" or "the evidence suggests".