it may be certain

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "it may be certain" is correct and usable in written English.
You can use it when expressing a possibility or likelihood that something is true or will happen, while also acknowledging some uncertainty. Example: "While we cannot guarantee the outcome, it may be certain that the project will lead to significant improvements in efficiency."

✓ Grammatically correct

Science

News & Media

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

1 human-written examples

In other neurons it may be certain response characteristics to PSPs and other response properties.

Plosone

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

58 human-written examples

While we may never find out just who plotted the break-in by James O'Keefe and his comrades of Senator Mary Landrieu's (D-LA) district office or why, we may be certain it was no accident or "misunderstanding".

Huffington Post

"There may be certain cases," it has concluded, "where heightened accountability or acceptance of responsibility through the defendant's admission of misconduct may be appropriate, even if it does not allow us to achieve a prompt resolution".

The New York Times

It should be noted that there may be certain limitations to the nano-CZ mechanism, and the details of the CNT screw extrusion and the defect dynamics need further in-depth investigations.

Nanoscale Research Letters

It has been suggested that there may be certain kinds of sleep which are possible even when in flight.

Wikipedia

"It may be at certain levels de-aligning," he said.

The New York Times

"But it may be that certain people at the airline may not know what other people know".

The New York Times

And finally, it may be that certain types of shareholders like index funds should have no vote at all.

The New York Times

It may be that certain people are more vulnerable, perhaps those with a higher sensitivity to salt, or a predisposition to autoimmune diseases.

The Guardian - Lifestyle

It may be that certain shapes or features could predict clinical outcomes or otherwise figure into the prognosis.

TechCrunch

Depending on how the case were filled in, it may be that certain actions performed prior to the discontinuity would still be judged hers in the relevant sense.

SEP

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "it may be certain" when you want to express a qualified assurance. It acknowledges a degree of uncertainty, while still suggesting a strong likelihood.

Common error

Avoid using "it may be certain" when the outcome is truly unknown or highly speculative. Instead, opt for phrases that convey greater uncertainty, such as "it might be possible" or "it could happen."

Linguistic Context

The phrase "it may be certain" functions as a modal expression of qualified certainty. It combines the modal verb "may" to indicate possibility with the adjective "certain" to suggest a high degree of confidence. As indicated by Ludwig, the phrase is correct and usable.

Expression frequency: Common

Frequent in

Science

35%

News & Media

35%

Formal & Business

10%

Less common in

Encyclopedias

7%

Wiki

3%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "it may be certain" serves as a modal expression of qualified certainty, blending possibility and confidence. Ludwig AI affirms its grammatical correctness and usability, noting its appropriateness for expressing considered judgments. While versatile, the phrase's usage is most prevalent in science, news, and formal business contexts. When writing, remember to use "it may be certain" when you have good reason to believe in an outcome, but cannot guarantee it. Avoid overstating the certainty when evidence is weak.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

it's reasonably certain

Adds a qualifier ("reasonably") to temper the certainty.

it might be assured

Replaces "may" with "might" (less formal) and "certain" with "assured" (slightly stronger connotation).

it could be guaranteed

Substitutes "may" with "could" (lower probability) and "certain" with "guaranteed" (stronger certainty).

one can be fairly sure

Changes the perspective to a person's level of assurance.

it is likely to be true

Rephrases the idea using "likely to be true" to convey probability.

we can be quite confident

Shifts focus to the speaker's confidence level.

it is probably the case

Uses "probably the case" to indicate a strong likelihood.

it's possibly definite

Combines "possibly" (lower probability) with "definite" (higher certainty) for a nuanced meaning.

there is a good chance it is so

Expresses probability using "good chance" with a more informal tone.

it seems almost inevitable

Indicates a high degree of likelihood approaching inevitability.

FAQs

How to use "it may be certain" in a sentence?

You can use "it may be certain" to express a likely outcome with a degree of acknowledged uncertainty. For example, "While challenges remain, "it may be certain" that the project will succeed."

What can I say instead of "it may be certain"?

You can use alternatives like "it might be assured", "it could be guaranteed", or "it is likely to be true" depending on the context.

Is "it may be certain" the same as "it is certain"?

No, ""it may be certain"" implies a degree of uncertainty, whereas "it is certain" expresses complete assurance. The inclusion of "may" qualifies the certainty.

When is it appropriate to use "it may be certain"?

Use ""it may be certain"" when you have reasons to believe something is likely to happen or to be true, but you cannot guarantee it. It's suitable for situations where you want to express a considered opinion without overstating the case.