kind of certain

USAGE SUMMARY

"kind of certain" can be used in written English.
It is a way of saying that you are not completely sure of something, but you still have an idea of what might happen. For example, "I'm kind of certain that the rain will stop soon."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Encyclopedias

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

8 human-written examples

"Up until recently I was kind of certain they'd get a program, but now I'm quite a bit less optimistic," said Daniel Hewitt, an analyst with Barclays.

The New York Times

Contemporary philosophers continue to argue about what constitutes knowledge and whether there can be a kind of certain knowledge that is immune to skeptical doubt.

Encyclopedia Britannica

Then, after we land and get back on dry land it feels as though I've lived through a kind of certain death and come out the other end.

The New Yorker

This kind of certain knowledge can serve as a foundation for other knowledge claims, even though there may be some highly unusual circumstances in which it could be questioned.

Encyclopedia Britannica

For Wittgenstein, certainty lay in the ways in which human beings act in their "forms of life". Contemporary philosophers continue to argue about what constitutes knowledge and whether there can be a kind of certain knowledge that is immune to skeptical doubt.

Britannica

He contended that no matter how compelling skeptical arguments may be, they cannot undermine the certain knowledge that people have of basic propositions, such as "the Earth has existed for a long time". This kind of certain knowledge can serve as a foundation for other knowledge claims, even though there may be some highly unusual circumstances in which it could be questioned.

Britannica

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

52 human-written examples

Like all of us, we're drawn to certain kind of foods, certain kinds of music, certain kinds of art, and I know what I like in all three.

HuffPost

When we were doing Hybrid Theory, we were really focused on a certain kind of rap, a certain kind of hip-hop, a certain kind of rock, a certain kind of electronic music, and as we've grown up, we've started to broaden that melting pot.

HuffPost

It kind of belies certain principles that I hold.

The New York Times - Travel

"Courvoisier has already got a certain kind of image, a certain kind of attitude and integrity," he said.

The New York Times

In focus groups we heard that women didn't just want to be blond, they wanted to be a certain kind of blond, a certain kind of person".

The New York Times - Style

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "kind of certain" when you want to express a qualified belief or opinion, avoiding stronger assertions that might not be fully justified. It acknowledges uncertainty while still conveying a sense of conviction.

Common error

Avoid stringing together multiple qualifiers, as this can weaken your statement and make you sound indecisive. Instead of saying "I'm kind of sort of certain", choose a more direct expression of your belief.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "kind of certain" functions as a qualifier, softening the assertion of certainty. As Ludwig shows, it's used to express a belief or opinion that isn't absolute.

Expression frequency: Uncommon

Frequent in

News & Media

43%

Encyclopedias

29%

Science

14%

Less common in

Wiki

14%

Formal & Business

0%

Academia

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "kind of certain" is a qualifier phrase used to express a belief with a degree of uncertainty. Ludwig's analysis confirms that it is grammatically correct and commonly appears in various contexts, including news media and encyclopedias. While not as emphatic as "certain", it allows for a nuanced expression of confidence. To enhance your writing, remember to use it when you want to convey a belief without claiming absolute certainty, and avoid overusing qualifiers to maintain clarity and impact. Alternatives such as "fairly certain" or "somewhat sure" can provide similar meaning with subtle variations in tone.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

fairly certain

Similar in meaning but emphasizes the extent of certainty.

more or less certain

Indicates a slight reservation while still expressing a high degree of confidence.

pretty sure

More informal way of expressing a good level of confidence.

sort of sure

An even more casual and less emphatic version of "kind of certain".

somewhat sure

Indicates a slightly lower degree of confidence.

virtually sure

Implies a very high level of confidence, close to absolute certainty.

reasonably confident

Suggests a more considered and justified level of assurance.

mostly convinced

Highlights the process of becoming certain, implying some initial doubt.

inclined to think

Suggests a tendency to believe something without absolute certainty.

leaning towards believing

Emphasizes a tentative inclination toward a belief.

FAQs

How can I use "kind of certain" in a sentence?

You can use "kind of certain" to express a qualified belief. For example, "I'm kind of certain that I locked the door" indicates a level of confidence without absolute certainty.

What's a more formal alternative to "kind of certain"?

For a more formal tone, you could use phrases like "reasonably confident" or "fairly certain". These options convey a similar meaning with greater precision.

Is it grammatically correct to say "kind of certain"?

Yes, it's grammatically correct. "Kind of" functions as a qualifier, softening the assertion of certainty. It's commonly used in spoken and written English to express a moderate level of confidence.

What's the difference between "kind of certain" and "certain"?

"Certain" implies a complete lack of doubt, while "kind of certain" suggests some level of uncertainty. Use "kind of certain" when you want to acknowledge that you're not 100% sure. For example, "pretty sure".