near certain

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "near certain" is not standard in written English; the correct expression is "nearly certain" or "almost certain." You can use it when expressing a high degree of confidence in an outcome or situation, but it should be phrased correctly.
Example: "The results of the experiment make us nearly certain that our hypothesis is correct."

⚠ May contain grammatical issues

News & Media

Science

Encyclopedias

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

23 human-written examples

I don't think so — but I'm nowhere near certain.

The New York Times

Of that number, 11 have been dubbed "certain" craters, and the remainder are considered either "near certain" or "probable".

Science Magazine

And that's the least bad of the near certain consequences of going down that road.

Huffington Post

budget proposal -- despite a near certain expectation that it would fail to pass the chamber.

Huffington Post

As Gallup explains, a job approval rating for an incumbent president at above 50percentt is associated with "near certain reelection," while approval ratings in the low 40s have been associated with "near-certain defeat".

Huffington Post

Trump's near certain nomination did, however, prompt a comment from Humberto Roque, deputy interior minister for migration.

Vice

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

37 human-written examples

So another walkover is near-certain.

The Economist

Judenrat members knew that deportation meant near-certain death.

Encyclopedia Britannica

The near-certain purchaser of Yugansk is Gazprom, the state-run gas monopoly.

The Economist

Giving Ronaldo a penalty kick is a near-certain invitation for him to score.

The New York Times - Sports

One reason for genuine celebration is that this deal has saved the Doha round from near-certain collapse.

The Economist

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Prefer using the grammatically standard alternatives "almost certain" or "nearly certain" for clarity and to adhere to conventional English usage.

Common error

Avoid using "near certain" in formal writing; instead, opt for more accepted phrases such as "almost certain" or "highly probable" to maintain credibility.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "near certain" functions as a descriptor, indicating a high probability or likelihood of something occurring. Despite its usage, it is considered non-standard. Ludwig indicates the phrase is not standard in written English.

Expression frequency: Uncommon

Frequent in

News & Media

45%

Science

30%

Encyclopedias

10%

Less common in

Formal & Business

5%

Wiki

5%

Reference

5%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, while the phrase "near certain" is used to express a high degree of probability, it's considered grammatically non-standard. Ludwig AI indicates its incorrectness, recommending "almost certain" or "nearly certain" as preferable alternatives. Although it appears across various sources, particularly in News & Media, opting for the standard alternatives enhances clarity and credibility, especially in formal contexts.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

almost certain

Indicates a slightly stronger degree of certainty than the original phrase.

all but certain

Implies that only a small possibility of a different outcome remains.

highly probable

Emphasizes the likelihood of an event occurring, often used in statistical or analytical contexts.

very likely

A common and versatile substitute, suitable for various contexts.

virtually assured

Conveys a sense of inevitability, implying that the outcome is beyond reasonable doubt.

practically guaranteed

Suggests that the outcome is secured to the extent that failure is unlikely.

almost guaranteed

Similar to "practically guaranteed", but with a slightly less formal tone.

assuredly

An adverbial form that conveys confidence in the outcome.

definitely

A straightforward way to express certainty about an event or outcome.

predictable

Focuses on the ability to foresee the outcome based on current conditions.

FAQs

What is the correct way to say "near certain"?

The grammatically correct alternatives are "almost certain" or "nearly certain". These options are more widely accepted in standard English.

When is it appropriate to use "near certain"?

While "near certain" appears in some publications, it's advisable to use "almost certain" or "nearly certain", especially in formal or academic writing.

Are there synonyms for "almost certain" that I can use instead of "near certain"?

Yes, you can use phrases like "highly probable", "very likely", or "virtually assured" depending on the context.

Is "near certain" grammatically incorrect?

Yes, while understandable, "near certain" doesn't follow standard English grammar. The accepted forms are "almost certain" or "nearly certain".