it is still not certain

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "it is still not certain" is correct and usable in written English.
You can use it when discussing situations or outcomes that remain unclear or undecided. Example: "Despite the ongoing research, it is still not certain whether the new treatment will be effective."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Wiki

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

18 human-written examples

But it is still not certain whether they can protect the myocardium in hemorrhagic shock.

Journal of Surgical Research

It is still not certain whether Mr. Negroponte will succeed in his crusade.

The New York Times

It is still not certain whether Ms. Idris intended to kill herself, or to plant the bomb and escape.

The New York Times

But it is still not certain if The Examiner, the newspaper that gave William Randolph Hearst his addiction to journalism more than a century ago, will fold.

The New York Times

It is still not certain that May, whose Maidenhead constituency is near the airport, will opt for Heathrow expansion over Gatwick or another option.

The Guardian

It is still not certain who abducted a French tourist on Saturday, and a British woman, further up the coast in Kiwayu, two weeks before that.

The Guardian

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

42 human-written examples

It has been lobbied to within an inch of its life and delayed until 2014, by which time it's still not certain the law will actually have any "teeth," to use Primack's term.

Huffington Post

Its full year results give more credibility to management plans, but it's still not certain what profitability level Ocado can achieve by improving its productivity.

The Guardian - Business

"It's still not certain yet," Borrell told me at a recent party.

Independent

As late as yesterday afternoon, it was still not certain whether Clinton would go to Wisconsin.

The Washington Post

But it's still not certain that Monday's hearing will actually take place.

The Washington Post

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "it is still not certain" to express ongoing uncertainty about future events or outcomes, especially when previous attempts to clarify the situation have been unsuccessful.

Common error

Avoid relying too heavily on "it is still not certain" in your writing. Vary your language by using synonyms or rephrasing to maintain reader engagement and provide a richer narrative.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "it is still not certain" functions as an uncertainty marker. It indicates that a piece of information, outcome, or event remains unresolved or unconfirmed. As supported by Ludwig, this phrase expresses doubt or a lack of definitive knowledge.

Expression frequency: Common

Frequent in

News & Media

54%

Science

33%

Wiki

6%

Less common in

Formal & Business

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Social Media

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "it is still not certain" is a versatile phrase used to express ongoing uncertainty across various contexts. According to Ludwig, the phrase is grammatically correct and widely applicable. While "it is still not certain" is common, it's important to consider synonyms like "it remains uncertain" or "it is yet to be determined" for stylistic variation. The phrase sees frequent usage in news, science, and general discussions, emphasizing the lack of a definitive conclusion.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

it remains uncertain

Replaces "still not certain" with a more concise expression of ongoing uncertainty.

it is yet to be determined

Emphasizes that a decision or outcome has not been reached yet.

the outcome is still unclear

Shifts focus to the lack of clarity surrounding a specific outcome.

the situation is still up in the air

Uses an idiomatic expression to indicate that the situation is unresolved and subject to change.

it has not been confirmed

Highlights the absence of official verification or confirmation.

it is unconfirmed

A shorter, more direct way of saying that something has not been confirmed.

there is no guarantee

Indicates that there is no assurance of a particular result.

the jury is still out

An idiomatic expression suggesting that a final verdict or decision is pending.

the matter is unresolved

Focuses on the lack of resolution or settlement of an issue.

it's an open question

Suggests that the issue is still being debated or considered.

FAQs

How can I rephrase "it is still not certain" in a sentence?

You can replace "it is still not certain" with alternatives such as "it remains uncertain", "it is yet to be determined", or "the outcome is still unclear" to express a similar meaning.

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

"It is still not certain" is suitable for both formal and informal contexts. However, in highly formal writing, you might prefer alternatives like "it remains uncertain" for a more polished tone.

What does "it is still not certain" imply?

The phrase "it is still not certain" implies that a situation or outcome is unresolved, and there's a lack of clarity or assurance despite potential efforts to gain more information. It suggests ongoing doubt or ambiguity.

What are some common contexts where "it is still not certain" is used?

"It is still not certain" is often used in news reports, scientific studies, and general discussions to express uncertainty about events, results, or future outcomes. For instance, "it is still not certain who will win the election" or "it is still not certain if the treatment will be effective".