nearly certain

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "nearly certain" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to express a high degree of confidence in a statement or outcome, but with a slight acknowledgment of uncertainty. Example: "After reviewing the evidence, I am nearly certain that the project will be completed on time."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Formal & Business

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

It seems nearly certain that this pattern will be repeated.

The New York Times

His detention was nearly certain to have been approved by top Chinese leaders.

The New York Times

Absent such a reconsideration, their fate is nearly certain: they will change, and change, and die.

The New York Times

She was certain, nearly certain that he was standing near the coffee table.

The New Yorker

It became nearly certain after OGX missed a $45 million bond payment on Oct. 1.

The New York Times

Mr. Putin's term ends this spring, but he is nearly certain to become prime minister.

The New York Times

It's now nearly certain Obama and McCain will be the ones to play for them.

The New York Times

One thing seems nearly certain: Tyson will not be invited back to Britain.

The New York Times - Sports

The night missions are the violent ones, with ambushes nearly certain.

The New York Times

Relatives shown the images are said to be nearly certain it is him.

The Guardian

6. Landmark internet privacy protections are nearly certain to be dismantled.

The New York Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "nearly certain" when you want to express a strong belief that something will happen or is true, but you acknowledge a small possibility of being wrong. This adds nuance and credibility to your statement.

Common error

Avoid using "nearly certain" when the outcome is genuinely uncertain or speculative. Overusing it can undermine your credibility if the predicted event does not occur.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "nearly certain" functions as an adverbial modifier intensifying the adjective "certain". This combination serves to express a high degree of confidence or likelihood, as exemplified by the Ludwig examples where events are deemed to have a very high probability of occurring.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

85%

Science

8%

Formal & Business

4%

Less common in

Wiki

2%

Encyclopedias

0%

Reference

1%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "nearly certain" is a valuable tool for expressing a high degree of confidence while maintaining a realistic acknowledgment of uncertainty. As Ludwig AI confirms, it is grammatically correct and widely used across diverse contexts, particularly in news and media. When writing, it is important to ensure the level of confidence aligns with the available evidence and to avoid overstating certainty in speculative situations. Considering semantically related phrases such as "almost certain" and "highly likely" can further refine the precision and impact of your statements. The examples provided by Ludwig show the diverse application of this versatile phrase.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

Almost certain

Indicates a very high degree of confidence, slightly stronger than "nearly certain".

Virtually certain

Implies an extremely high probability, bordering on absolute certainty.

Close to certain

A more direct synonym, indicating something is very near to being completely certain.

Highly likely

Suggests a strong probability, but with a bit more room for doubt than "nearly certain".

Very probable

Similar to "highly likely", indicating a good chance of occurrence.

Almost guaranteed

Implies a very strong expectation of something happening, close to a sure thing.

Practically sure

Indicates a high level of confidence based on practical considerations.

Reasonably certain

Suggests a moderate level of confidence based on available evidence.

Presumably certain

Based on presumption and reasonable expectation but not definitive proof.

To all intents and purposes certain

Implies that for all practical purposes, something can be considered certain.

FAQs

How can I use "nearly certain" in a sentence?

You can use "nearly certain" to express a high degree of confidence in an outcome. For example, "It is "nearly certain" that the bill will pass" or "I am "nearly certain" I locked the door."

What phrases are similar to "nearly certain"?

Alternatives to "nearly certain" include phrases like "almost certain", "virtually certain", or "highly likely".

When should I use "almost certain" instead of "nearly certain"?

"Almost certain" and "nearly certain" are very similar, but "almost certain" suggests a slightly higher degree of confidence. Choose the phrase that best reflects the level of confidence you want to convey.

Is it ever wrong to use "nearly certain"?

Using "nearly certain" is inappropriate if the situation is highly speculative or completely uncertain. Ensure there is a reasonable basis for your level of confidence.