not actually sure

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "not actually sure" is correct and usable in written English.
You can use it when expressing uncertainty or doubt about something. Example: "I'm not actually sure if the meeting is still scheduled for tomorrow."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Wiki

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

40 human-written examples

I'm not actually sure.

The Guardian - Sport

"I'm not actually sure," Brondo said.

The New York Times - Food

Er, we're not actually sure yet!

The Guardian - Music

I'm not actually sure the friendship's sustainable any more.

Independent

To this day, I'm not actually sure how many megahertz my iPad operates on.

The New York Times

I am, to be totally honest, not actually sure that any of these things are true.

The New Yorker

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

19 human-written examples

I wasn't actually sure what I was supposed to do while on call, but I knew I had to stick tight to my intern, Li-Chan.

The New York Times

Toward the end of "Over Time," Deford strikes an increasingly defensive pose, as though he isn't actually sure the story of a sportswriter and sportswriting is worth telling.

The New York Times - Books

But she told me later that she wasn't actually sure about her group of friends: they could be mean, and people would get criticised if they didn't look a certain way.

The Guardian - Arts

That seems fair enough, although it's pretty hard to prove or disprove, and researchers aren't actually sure why life expectancy went down.

Huffington Post

Officials aren't actually sure whether they exist, but an aide to the Senate Intelligence Committee told HuffPost the group was exploring ways to obtain them in case they do.

Huffington Post

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "not actually sure" when you want to express a genuine lack of certainty, but avoid overusing it in formal writing where more precise language might be preferable. Consider alternative expressions like "uncertain" or "unsure".

Common error

Avoid relying too heavily on "not actually sure", especially in professional contexts. While it's a natural expression, overuse can make your writing sound hesitant. Vary your language with more assertive alternatives when appropriate.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "not actually sure" functions as a qualifier expressing uncertainty or a lack of definite knowledge. It modifies a statement to indicate that the speaker or writer is not completely confident in its accuracy. Ludwig shows many instances of it being used in conversational contexts.

Expression frequency: Common

Frequent in

News & Media

58%

Wiki

8%

Science

6%

Less common in

Formal & Business

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "not actually sure" is a common phrase used to express uncertainty or doubt. Ludwig AI confirms that the phrase is grammatically correct and widely used, particularly in news and media, although it's important to consider the context and choose more formal alternatives like "uncertain" or "unsure" in professional settings. Overusing this phrase can make writing sound hesitant, so vary your language for a more impactful and confident tone. Semantically related alternatives include "not entirely certain", "not really sure", and "a little uncertain".

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

not entirely certain

Replaces "actually sure" with "entirely certain", emphasizing a lack of complete certainty.

not really certain

Substitutes "actually" with "really", offering a slightly less formal tone while conveying similar uncertainty.

not absolutely certain

Emphasizes the lack of absolute certainty, suggesting a possibility of error.

not completely positive

Replaces the whole phrase with an expression that highlights a lack of complete assurance.

not entirely convinced

Indicates a lack of full belief or persuasion, implying some doubt.

not entirely positive

Mirrors "not completely positive", focusing on the lack of a wholly affirmative feeling.

not 100% sure

Uses a numerical representation to express less than full certainty, creating a less formal tone.

somewhat unsure

Shortens the phrase while maintaining the essence of uncertainty, but with less emphasis.

a little uncertain

Highlights a mild degree of uncertainty or doubt.

I'm only guessing

Shifts the focus to the act of guessing, indicating a lack of definitive knowledge.

FAQs

How can I use "not actually sure" in a sentence?

You can use "not actually sure" to express uncertainty or doubt, like in the sentence "I'm "not actually sure" if that's the right way to do it."

What phrases are similar to "not actually sure"?

Similar phrases include "not entirely certain", "not really sure", or "a little uncertain".

Is it better to say "I'm not sure" or "I'm not actually sure"?

"I'm not sure" is more direct and often preferable in formal settings. "I'm "not actually sure"" adds emphasis to the uncertainty, which can be useful in informal contexts.

When is it appropriate to use "not actually sure"?

It is appropriate in casual conversation and informal writing when you want to express uncertainty. However, in formal writing or professional communications, consider using more concise and direct alternatives like "uncertain" or "unclear".