mostly certain

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase 'mostly certain' is not grammatically correct in written English.
In spoken English however, you could use the phrase 'mostly certain'. For example: "I'm mostly certain that I left my keys at home."

⚠ May contain grammatical issues

News & Media

Science

Academia

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

4 human-written examples

And 52 percent said they were certain or mostly certain that their lives would not improve under his continued leadership.

The New York Times

("Be fair to the President" is not among the New Year's resolutions of the Washington press corps, who are mostly certain that the remainder of Obama's term is a hopeless case).

The New Yorker

("Be fair to the President" is not among the New Year's resolutions of the Washington press corps, who are mostly certain that the remainder of Obama's term is a hopeless case). It's an appealing and very American notion the fresh start, the clean slate, the second (or third, or sixth) act.

The New Yorker

Innocent trick-or-treaters and their parents could pass by a "Trumpkin," as a gourd carved with Trump's likeness has been dubbed, and feel mostly certain that the guy who had just called Mexicans "drug dealers, criminals and rapists" was probably not going to make it past the primary election.

Huffington Post

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

56 human-written examples

As I'll further describe below these applications mostly lack certain advanced features, have potential data and user limitations and contain less functionality for certain vertical industries.

Forbes

They contain cracks mostly with certain distributions.

Procedia Engineering

Only a few people do, mostly in certain religious cults.

The New York Times - Science

While the vibration amplitude is mostly attenuated, certain unfavorable combinations of structure and soil parameters lead to amplification in the range of the system's natural frequencies.

Soil Dynamics and Earthquake Engineering

While defects in a diamond are mostly undesirable, certain defects are a quantum physicist's best friend, having the potential to store bits of information that could one day be used in a quantum computing system.

Cornell University

But that is mostly for certain groups of women, including those with high blood pressure or those who are over 35 and smoke, for example (these women are advised not use them).

The New York Times

The plan was one of the starkest dividing lines of the campaign, with Vice President Al Gore proposing less than $500 billion in tax cuts across a decade, mostly for certain specific social needs like a college education.

The New York Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

While "mostly certain" is sometimes used in speech, prefer more grammatically standard alternatives like "almost certain" or "largely certain" in formal writing to maintain clarity and credibility.

Common error

Avoid using "mostly certain" in contexts that require precision and formality. This phrase may come across as vague or non-committal. Replace it with a stronger, more direct expression of certainty such as "almost certain" or "virtually certain".

Linguistic Context

The phrase "mostly certain" functions as an adverbial modifier qualifying the adjective "certain". It expresses a degree of confidence or assurance that is less than absolute. According to Ludwig AI, this phrase isn't grammatically correct in written English.

Expression frequency: Rare

Frequent in

News & Media

50%

Science

25%

Academia

25%

Less common in

Formal & Business

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Wiki

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "mostly certain" expresses a high, but not absolute, degree of confidence. While understandable, Ludwig AI marks it as grammatically incorrect in written English, recommending stronger alternatives for clarity in formal contexts. While it appears in various sources like News & Media, Science, and Academia, more precise options like "almost certain" or "largely certain" are often preferred to avoid ambiguity.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

almost certain

Indicates a slightly higher degree of confidence; very close to being completely certain.

largely certain

Implies certainty across the majority of aspects or cases.

generally certain

Suggests certainty is the usual or prevailing condition.

mostly sure

A more conversational alternative, replacing "certain" with "sure".

reasonably certain

Highlights the existence of a rational basis for the certainty.

fairly certain

Indicates a good degree of certainty, but not absolute.

pretty certain

An informal way of expressing a good level of confidence.

highly confident

Emphasizes a strong feeling of assurance.

virtually certain

Suggests that something is so probable as to be practically certain.

substantially certain

Indicates that the certainty is considerable or significant.

FAQs

Is "mostly certain" grammatically correct in formal writing?

While understandable, "mostly certain" isn't considered standard English for formal writing. Opt for alternatives like "almost certain" or "largely certain" to maintain precision.

What's a more formal alternative to "mostly certain"?

For a more formal tone, consider using phrases such as "virtually certain" or "substantially certain", which convey a higher degree of assurance.

How does "mostly certain" differ from "completely certain"?

"Mostly certain" suggests a high degree of confidence with a slight reservation, while "completely certain" indicates absolute and unwavering conviction. If unsure, use alternatives to clarify your intended meaning.

When is it appropriate to use "mostly certain"?

You might use "mostly certain" in casual conversation or informal writing where a less definitive tone is acceptable. However, in professional or academic contexts, it's best to choose a more precise and grammatically sound alternative.