it was always certain

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "it was always certain" is correct and usable in written English.
You can use it to express a strong belief or conviction about something that has consistently been true or expected over time. Example: "Despite the challenges we faced, it was always certain that we would achieve our goals."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Wiki

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

1 human-written examples

Their terms of reference were so broadly drawn that they could have done pretty much anything, they were never going to cover all the ground in the time and it was always certain that they wouldn't go near to cases that were subject to police investigation.

The Guardian - Opinion

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

58 human-written examples

My coworkers, whom I was always certain I annoyed the hell out of, were all reaching out to help.

Huffington Post

Some policymakers may agree with Charlie Brown, who claimed: "I am always certain if it is a matter of opinion" But most would agree that high-quality evidence provides a better basis for being confident about decisions.

Health Research Policy and Systems

The point is, I am always certain I've come down with something life threatening.

The New York Times

I know that he is hustling for us; of that, I am always certain.

Huffington Post

Eventually, as was always certain, it came up with the answer the junta had dreamed up in the first place: continued military dominance.

The Economist

It was a safety blanket — security against the disaster he was always certain was about to strike.

The New Yorker

In Diyala province American troops have moved on the city of Baquba, previously a haven in which the government's enemies had felt safe.It was always certain that the surge would lead to the death of more American soldiers than in previous months, when the policy was to pass the burden of fighting to the fledgling Iraqi forces.

The Economist

"There was always certain pressure to do a book," he said.

The New York Times - Food

Eventually, as was always certain, the convention came up with the answer the junta first thought of: continued military dominance.

The Economist

He went on to say that "Reagan was always certain about his purpose.

Huffington Post

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

To add impact, follow "it was always certain" with a 'that' clause specifying the event or outcome you were confident about. For example, "It was always certain that the company would eventually face challenges."

Common error

Avoid overusing "it was always certain" when the outcome was merely probable, not inevitable. Using it for uncertain situations weakens the phrase's impact and credibility.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "it was always certain" functions as an adverbial phrase modifying a verb, conveying a sense of inevitability or strong expectation. This phrase is used to express a high degree of confidence in a particular outcome or situation. As Ludwig AI states, this is a correct and usable phrase.

Expression frequency: Uncommon

Frequent in

News & Media

30%

Science

30%

Wiki

15%

Less common in

Formal & Business

10%

Encyclopedias

5%

Reference

10%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "it was always certain" is a grammatically sound and useful construction for expressing a high degree of confidence in an outcome. As Ludwig AI confirms, it's correct and usable in written English. While it appears most frequently in news and media contexts, its use extends to scientific and general writing. When aiming for impact, use it to emphasize predictability. Alternatives include "it was inevitable" or "it was a foregone conclusion". Avoid overusing it for situations that are only probable, not truly certain. By doing so, you harness its power to convey inevitability effectively.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

it was a certainty

Directly replaces "certain" with its noun form, keeping the meaning intact.

it was inevitable

Focuses on the unavoidable nature of the event or outcome, emphasizing lack of alternatives.

it was never in doubt

Emphasizes the lack of uncertainty surrounding the outcome, highlighting confidence in its predictability.

it was a foregone conclusion

Highlights the predetermined nature of the outcome, suggesting little to no doubt about the result.

it was bound to happen

Implies that circumstances made the event very likely to occur.

it was always going to happen

Rephrases the sentence to use a future tense construction focused on the inevitability of a certain event.

it was predestined

Suggests a fate or destiny leading to the outcome, carrying a more philosophical tone.

it was preordained

Similar to 'predestined', but often with a religious or higher-power connotation.

it was written in the stars

A more figurative way to express inevitability, suggesting fate.

it was to be expected

Indicates that the outcome was likely and not surprising, based on prior knowledge or circumstances.

FAQs

How can I use "it was always certain" in a sentence?

You can use "it was always certain" to express a strong belief that something would happen or was true. For example, "It was always certain that he would succeed".

What can I say instead of "it was always certain"?

You can use alternatives like "it was inevitable", "it was a foregone conclusion", or "it was bound to happen" depending on the context.

When is it appropriate to use "it was always certain"?

Use "it was always certain" when you want to emphasize that an outcome was highly predictable or expected based on consistent past events or circumstances. It suggests a lack of doubt about the result.

What's the difference between "it was always certain" and "it seemed likely"?

"It was always certain" indicates a very strong degree of confidence and predictability, while "it seemed likely" suggests a possibility or probability, but with less certainty. The former implies inevitability, while the latter implies a reasonable chance.