it was quite certain

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "it was quite certain" is correct and usable in written English.
You can use it to express a strong belief or assurance about a situation or outcome in a narrative or descriptive context. Example: "After reviewing all the evidence, it was quite certain that the decision was the right one."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

1 human-written examples

He added, "This was not a hypothesis — it was quite certain in our own minds".

The New Yorker

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

56 human-written examples

(It's quite certain someone will).

The New York Times

"It is quite certain that no writer of Washington's biography has seen this book".

The New Yorker

"Congressman Maynard charges open fraud.. It is quite certain that Mr. Young would have cried fraud as loudly had he been defeated by a margin of less than 50 votes..

The New York Times

As for the introduction of the euro, replacing the other currencies, notably the Deutschmark, it is quite certain that the Germans would have voted to keep the mark if they had been allowed to.

The New York Times

It is quite certain that this would not have happened without Ashton's endless engagement and mediation between the two sides through dozens of meetings and late-night dinners.

The Guardian

Indeed, for a scholar who subscribes to critical and scientific canons of evidence, it is quite certain that they did not exist, since their stories are full of things that could not possibly have happened: the voices from Heaven, the burning bush, the parting of the Red Sea.

The New Yorker

When averaged results of FastWISE and NLP are given in the same figure compared with the results of the MC experiments, it is quite certain that they are statistically significantly better.

EURASIP Journal on Wireless Communications and Networking

As a consequence, it is quite certain that a unique feature will not be enough to describe the categories, and it is more likely that we will have to use a pair of temporal and spectral features.

EURASIP Journal on Audio, Speech, and Music Processing

If she had broached this subject with Obama, it is quite certain his response would have been along the lines of fuggedaboutit.

Huffington Post

This implies that, although it is uncertain which diagnostic test is most cost-effective, it is quite certain that it is not CT.

European Radiology

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "it was quite certain" to express a strong degree of confidence, but avoid overuse, as it can sound repetitive. Consider alternative phrases to add variety to your writing.

Common error

Avoid using "quite" to mean "very" or "extremely" in formal contexts. While "quite" can amplify certainty, it's not a universal intensifier. Ensure "quite" accurately reflects a moderate to high degree, not an absolute extreme.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "it was quite certain" functions as an assertion of confidence or conviction. As shown by Ludwig, it is used to convey a strong belief that something is true or will occur. The presence of "quite" emphasizes the degree of certainty without making it absolute.

Expression frequency: Common

Frequent in

News & Media

60%

Science

30%

Formal & Business

10%

Less common in

Encyclopedias

0%

Wiki

0%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "it was quite certain" is a grammatically correct and frequently used expression for conveying a strong belief or assurance. Ludwig AI confirms its acceptability and provides numerous examples across various contexts, particularly in news and media. While versatile, it's essential to consider context and audience when choosing this phrase, opting for more formal alternatives in academic or professional settings. While commonly used, avoid overuse by incorporating synonymous phrases to add variety and specificity to your writing.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

it was undoubtedly clear

Replaces "quite certain" with "undoubtedly clear", emphasizing the lack of doubt and clarity of the situation.

there was absolutely no doubt

Shifts the focus to the absence of doubt, rather than directly stating certainty.

it was beyond any question

Highlights that the matter was not open to debate or questioning.

it was patently obvious

Emphasizes the ease and clarity with which the certainty could be perceived.

it could be stated with assurance

Uses a more formal tone to express the confidence in the statement.

one could say with certainty

Similar to the previous one but adding an impersonal subject to give it an objective tone.

it was conclusively proven

Indicates that the certainty arises from a proven or demonstrated fact.

the evidence made it undeniable

Shifts the emphasis to the compelling nature of the evidence supporting the certainty.

it was firmly established

Highlights that the certainty is based on something that has been thoroughly established or confirmed.

it was definitely the case

Uses a straightforward expression to indicate a high degree of confidence in a particular situation or fact.

FAQs

What does "it was quite certain" mean?

The phrase "it was quite certain" indicates a strong belief or assurance that something is true or will happen. It suggests a high degree of confidence, though not necessarily absolute certainty.

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

You can use alternatives like "it was undoubtedly clear", "there was absolutely no doubt", or "it was patently obvious" depending on the context.

Is "it was quite certain" formal or informal?

The phrase "it was quite certain" is generally considered neutral and can be used in both formal and informal contexts. However, more formal alternatives might be preferable in academic or professional writing.

How to use "it was quite certain" in a sentence?

Use "it was quite certain" to express a strong conviction about a past event or a future outcome. For example, "After reviewing all the evidence, "it was quite certain" that the defendant was guilty."