it was certain that

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "it was certain that" is correct and usable in written English.
You can use it to describe a situation in which something has been conclusively established or is completely certain. For example, "It was certain that no one would be able to solve the puzzle in less than an hour."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Encyclopedias

Wiki

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

47 human-written examples

Israel issued a statement on Saturday saying it was certain that the shooting had not come from its forces, adding that the drivers were treated in an Israeli hospital.

The New York Times

Church officials said it was certain that Cardinal Hickey had advocated Bishop Lori's elevation.

The New York Times

Only when it was certain that Dreyfus would get a retrial, did Zola return to France.

The Guardian - Books

In an editorial on Feb. 29, 2008, The Journal said it was certain that higher inflation was on the way, calling it the "Bernanke reinflation".

The New York Times

The corruption set in". Mrs Hammond said it was certain that Margaret Thatcher's views were coloured, but so were those of successive governments.

Independent

One California prosecutor with years of experience handling child molesting cases said it was certain that months of investigation went into the case.

The New York Times

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

13 human-written examples

At the time a node finishes its transmission, it is certain that its neighbors are idle.

EURASIP Journal on Wireless Communications and Networking

Once it is Certain that the fish is cured, return it to its original home.

WikiHow

It is certain that they will.

The Economist

It is certain that nationalist currents exist.

The New York Times

It's certain that Maureen Orth knows.

The New York Times - Books

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "it was certain that" to express a high degree of confidence or inevitability about a past event or situation. Avoid using it when there's still a possibility of uncertainty.

Common error

Avoid using "it was certain that" when the situation only implies a strong likelihood. Reserve the phrase for scenarios where the outcome was virtually guaranteed at the time.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "it was certain that" functions as a declarative expression. It introduces a statement that is presented as a definitive fact or a highly probable conclusion. As Ludwig AI confirms, this phrase is grammatically correct and commonly used.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

48%

Science

16%

Wiki

10%

Less common in

Encyclopedias

6%

Formal & Business

0%

Academia

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "it was certain that" is a frequently used and grammatically sound phrase for expressing a high degree of confidence or inevitability. As confirmed by Ludwig AI, it appears across a range of contexts, from news reports to scientific articles. The phrase functions declaratively, aiming to leave little room for doubt. While versatile in register, it’s crucial to reserve it for situations where a high level of certainty is justified, avoiding overstatement. Remember to explore alternative phrasing to maintain writing variety.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

there was no doubt that

Shifts the structure to emphasize the absence of doubt regarding the outcome.

it was undeniable that

Replaces "certain" with "undeniable", stressing that the fact cannot be refuted or challenged.

it was beyond doubt that

Emphasizes the lack of any uncertainty, suggesting the conclusion is irrefutable.

it was beyond question that

Highlights the indisputable nature of the fact, with no room for debate.

it was guaranteed that

Substitutes "certain" with "guaranteed", emphasizing a definite outcome with no chance of failure.

it was clear that

Uses "clear" instead of "certain", suggesting the outcome was easily seen or understood.

it was assured that

Replaces "certain" with "assured", implying a guarantee or promise rather than simply a high probability.

it was evident that

Similar to "clear", but emphasizes the obviousness of the outcome based on available evidence.

it was inevitable that

Replaces "certain" with "inevitable", focusing on the unavoidable nature of the outcome.

it was a foregone conclusion that

Indicates the outcome was predetermined or predictable from the beginning.

FAQs

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

Use "it was certain that" to express a high degree of confidence about a past event, like: "It was certain that the team would win after their star player scored two goals".

What phrases are similar to "it was certain that"?

Alternatives include phrases like "it was clear that", "it was undeniable that", or "there was no doubt that".

Is "it was certain that" formal or informal?

The phrase "it was certain that" is appropriate for both formal and informal contexts, making it versatile for various writing styles.

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

While both suggest a probable outcome, "it was certain that" indicates a near guarantee, whereas "it seemed likely that" suggests a higher probability but with some level of uncertainty remaining.