it looks certain

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "it looks certain" is correct and usable in written English.
You can use it when expressing a strong belief or confidence about a situation or outcome. Example: "Based on the evidence presented, it looks certain that the project will be completed on time."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

23 human-written examples

Its ratings are declining all the time, however, and it looks certain to see its majority sharply reduced.

Independent

Boasting a quarter of all software sales in Japan, and having announced an impressive line-up for the year ahead at its annual Global Gamers Day conference in Las Vegas last week, it looks certain to expand its share of the UK, Europe and the US markets.

The Guardian - Tech

It looks certain to continue.

The Guardian

It looks certain, however, to present an immediate test for the incoming president.

The Economist

In fact, it looks certain to shrink this year by 0.2%.

The Guardian - Business

But judged from here, it looks certain that Auden will be among the past century's few guiding lights that did not prove an empty flame.

The Economist

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

37 human-written examples

It looked certain to rise far higher, though not, perhaps, to the 600 claimed by some Muslim Brotherhood spokesmen, or the 5,000 cited on Islamist websites outside Egypt.

The Economist

In 2008 Mr Harper persuaded the governor-general to take the unusual step of proroguing Parliament, when it looked certain that his minority government was about to fall.

The Economist

In fact it looked certain when Cink could only chip to 20 feet, putt to two feet and then missed the tiddler, to drop back to three-under.

The Guardian - Sport

A promise made in desperation to get the activists onside when it looked certain that David Davis would win the Tory leadership.

The Guardian - Opinion

Nick Todd wanted to sell and for a time it looked certain Spillers would close… Then his daughters proposed they take over.

The Guardian - Music

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "it looks certain", follow it with a clear statement of what is considered certain. Avoid ambiguity by specifying the expected outcome or event.

Common error

Avoid using "it looks certain" when the evidence is merely suggestive or incomplete. Overstating certainty can undermine credibility if the expected outcome does not materialize.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "it looks certain" functions as an idiomatic expression used to express a strong belief or high probability regarding a future event or outcome. As seen in Ludwig AI, the phrase commonly precedes a statement clarifying what is deemed certain.

Expression frequency: Common

Frequent in

News & Media

76%

Science

8%

Formal & Business

4%

Less common in

Wiki

4%

Academia

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "it looks certain" is a common and grammatically correct expression used to convey a high degree of confidence or expectation regarding a future event. Ludwig AI confirms its validity and provides numerous examples from reputable sources, primarily in news and media. While alternatives exist, such as "it appears definite" or "it seems assured", the choice depends on the specific nuance and context. It's essential to avoid overstating certainty when the evidence is not conclusive. Overall, "it looks certain" is a useful phrase for expressing a strong belief based on available information.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

it is all but certain

Adds "all but" to intensify the sense of certainty.

it appears definite

Replaces "looks" with "appears" and "certain" with "definite", maintaining a formal tone and similar meaning.

it seems assured

Substitutes "looks" with "seems" and "certain" with "assured", indicating confidence in the outcome.

it is virtually guaranteed

Uses a stronger term, "guaranteed", to emphasize the high probability of the event.

it is highly probable

Replaces the idiomatic expression with a more direct statement of probability.

the outcome is assured

Shifts the focus to the "outcome" and uses "assured" to express confidence.

it's a foregone conclusion

Employs an idiomatic expression to suggest the result is inevitable.

it's practically a given

Uses "practically a given" to convey a very high level of expectation.

one can be sure

Uses a personal and more direct tone, expressing confidence about an event

it's safe to say

Replaces the idiomatic expression with a more direct statement of safety.

FAQs

What does "it looks certain" mean?

The phrase "it looks certain" means that something is very likely to happen or is almost guaranteed to occur based on the available information and current circumstances.

How can I use "it looks certain" in a sentence?

You can use "it looks certain" to express a strong belief about a future outcome. For example, "Given the current economic trends, "it looks certain" that interest rates will rise."

What are some alternatives to "it looks certain"?

Some alternatives to "it looks certain" include "it appears definite", "it seems assured", or "it is virtually guaranteed". Choose the alternative that best fits the context and desired level of formality.

When is it appropriate to use "it looks certain" versus "it seems likely"?

"It looks certain" implies a higher degree of confidence than "it seems likely". Use "it looks certain" when the evidence strongly supports a particular outcome, whereas "it seems likely" is suitable when the outcome is probable but not guaranteed.