it was not certain

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "it was not certain" is correct and usable in written English.
You can use it when expressing doubt or ambiguity about a situation or outcome. Example: "Although the project was progressing well, it was not certain that we would meet the deadline."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

The 2001 Local Crisis Commission was dissolved sometime in 2002 (Andin 2012) when it was not certain that it had fulfilled its terms of reference and without a proper auditing of its accounts.

International Journal of Disaster Risk Science

It was not certain.

The New York Times - Sports

It was not certain they could.

The New York Times

Given the stunned reaction, it was not certain to pass.

The New York Times

It was not certain that the veto would be upheld.

The Economist

It was not certain who, or how many officers, had fired on Mr. Todashev.

The New York Times

It was not certain whether similar attention was being paid to his paternal lineage.

The New York Times

But Bogdan lacked conviction and it was not certain he had the ball under his control.

The Guardian - Sport

Mr. Thompson said it was not certain that the six to eight W.H.O.

The New York Times

Military officials said it was not certain how long the areas would remain closed.

The New York Times

Officials said tonight that it was not certain that Mr. Sharon would have time.

The New York Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "it was not certain", ensure the context clearly indicates what the uncertainty pertains to. Providing specific details about the situation helps avoid ambiguity.

Common error

While acceptable, overuse of "it was not certain" in formal writing can make your tone sound hesitant. Opt for more direct alternatives like "the outcome remained unclear" or "the results were inconclusive" for a stronger impact.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "it was not certain" primarily functions as an expression of uncertainty or doubt. According to Ludwig, this phrase is correct and usable in written English. It serves to qualify statements, indicating that the truth or outcome of a situation is not assured.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

78%

Science

13%

Wiki

3%

Less common in

Formal & Business

2%

Encyclopedias

0%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "it was not certain" is a grammatically correct and frequently used expression to convey uncertainty or doubt. According to Ludwig, its meaning is clear and consistent across various contexts, primarily in news and media and science. While versatile, it's important to ensure the context clearly specifies the subject of uncertainty. For more formal writing, consider alternatives like "the outcome remained unclear". With its widespread use and clear meaning, "it was not certain" remains a reliable way to express a lack of assurance.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

It wasn't assured

Replaces "certain" with "assured", focusing on the lack of guarantee.

It wasn't definite

Substitutes "certain" with "definite", highlighting the absence of a clear or fixed outcome.

It wasn't clear

Replaces "certain" with "clear", focusing on the lack of clarity or understanding.

It wasn't guaranteed

Substitutes "certain" with "guaranteed", emphasizing the absence of a promise or assurance.

It was doubtful

Uses "doubtful" to express uncertainty about the likelihood of something.

It remained to be seen

Emphasizes that the outcome is still pending and unknown.

The outcome was uncertain

Shifts the focus to the uncertainty of the outcome itself.

It wasn't predictable

Focuses on the inability to foresee or anticipate the result.

The situation was fluid

Highlights the changing and unstable nature of the circumstances.

The matter was up in the air

Emphasizes the unresolved and undecided state of the issue.

FAQs

How can I rephrase "it was not certain" to sound more formal?

For a more formal tone, consider using phrases like "the outcome remained unclear", "the results were inconclusive", or "there was no guarantee" instead of "it was not certain".

What's the difference between "it was not certain" and "it was uncertain"?

The phrases are largely interchangeable. "It was uncertain" is slightly more concise, while "it was not certain" can sometimes add a touch more emphasis to the uncertainty.

Is "it was not certain" grammatically correct?

Yes, "it was not certain" is grammatically correct. It follows standard English sentence structure and is widely used.

What are some informal alternatives to "it was not certain"?

Informal alternatives include phrases like "it wasn't sure", "it was up in the air", or "it was touch and go" depending on the context.