moderately sure of

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "moderately sure of" is correct and usable in written English.
You can use it when expressing a level of certainty that is not absolute but indicates a reasonable degree of confidence in something. Example: "After reviewing the evidence, I am moderately sure of my conclusion regarding the project's success."

✓ Grammatically correct

Science

News & Media

Wiki

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

1 human-written examples

When someone reports being only "moderately sure" of a decision like whether to accept a new job, his eventual choice is all but certain.

The New York Times

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

59 human-written examples

Self-efficacy was assessed by asking: "If you decided to give up smoking completely in the next 6 months, how sure are you that you would succeed?" Response options were: (1) not at all sure, (2) slightly sure, (3) moderately sure, (4) very sure or (5) extremely sure.

BMJ Open

Respondents also indicated whether they were sure of their answers to each question (not at all, moderately, absolutely sure).

Health and Quality of Life Outcomes

This we cannot be sure of.

ClinicoEconomics and Outcomes Research

How to be sure of the diagnosis?

BMC Medical Education

Looking back I am sure of it".

BMC Family Practice

But I am not sure of this.

Biology Direct

You're never sure of anything!

BMC Nursing

Do it moderately; make sure enough people find you funny to vote no to the votekicks that come up.

WikiHow

I called it and I'm pretty sure Charon answered, doing a moderately mean impersonation of my nasal voice.

The New Yorker

Also, make sure you get enough rest, stay well hydrated and exercise moderately, all of which can help strengthen your system, said Dr. Schaffner, who is also an infectious disease specialist.

The New York Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "moderately sure of" when you want to express a level of confidence that is above hesitant but below absolute certainty. It is suitable when you have some supporting evidence or reasoning but acknowledge there may be unknowns.

Common error

Avoid using "moderately sure of" when the situation requires absolute conviction or when dealing with critical decisions where even a small degree of doubt is unacceptable. Choose stronger phrasing if needed.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "moderately sure of" functions as an adjectival phrase that modifies a subject, indicating a state of mind. It expresses a level of confidence or certainty that is neither absolute nor doubtful. Ludwig examples illustrate its use in expressing opinions and beliefs.

Expression frequency: Uncommon

Frequent in

News & Media

30%

Science

30%

Wiki

13%

Less common in

Formal & Business

10%

Encyclopedias

0%

Social Media

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "moderately sure of" is a grammatically correct and usable adjectival phrase that conveys a state of mind characterized by a level of certainty that is neither absolute nor doubtful. Ludwig AI categorizes it as correct and the phrase is mostly used in contexts such as News & Media and Science. While it may not be appropriate for situations demanding absolute certainty, it offers a balanced approach to expressing confidence with a degree of acknowledged uncertainty.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

somewhat confident about

Indicates a slight degree of confidence, potentially less firm than "moderately sure of".

reasonably certain of

Suggests a justifiable level of certainty based on available information.

fairly confident in

Implies a good level of confidence, but not absolute certainty.

pretty sure about

A more informal way to express a good level of confidence.

somewhat convinced of

Highlights the persuasive aspect of the certainty.

partially certain regarding

Emphasizes that the certainty is not complete or absolute.

moderately convinced about

Highlights that the speaker has been somewhat persuaded but is not completely convinced

inclined to believe in

Suggests a leaning towards believing something without complete certainty.

leaning towards certainty about

Implies a movement towards a state of certainty, without fully reaching it.

not entirely doubtful of

Expresses a belief that something is possible or likely, but with some lingering doubt.

FAQs

How can I use "moderately sure of" in a sentence?

You can use "moderately sure of" to express a level of confidence that is not absolute, but indicates a reasonable belief. For instance, "I am moderately sure of the accuracy of these figures after cross-referencing multiple sources."

What can I say instead of "moderately sure of"?

You can use alternatives like "somewhat confident about", "reasonably certain of", or "fairly confident in" depending on the context.

Which is correct, "moderately sure of" or "moderately certain of"?

Both "moderately sure of" and "moderately certain of" are grammatically correct and convey a similar meaning. The choice between them often comes down to personal preference or the specific nuance you wish to express.

When should I avoid using the phrase "moderately sure of"?

Avoid using "moderately sure of" in situations that require complete assurance or when discussing topics where any level of uncertainty is unacceptable. In such cases, phrases like "completely certain" or "absolutely sure" would be more appropriate.