not certain enough

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "not certain enough" is correct and usable in written English.
You can use it when expressing a lack of confidence or assurance in a particular situation or statement. Example: "I feel that the evidence presented is not certain enough to draw a definitive conclusion."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Wiki

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

2 human-written examples

"The fact that the neuroscientist is 'pretty certain' that this doesn't impose pain is, frankly, not certain enough".

BBC

Reform-minded Republicans, friendlier to Arthur after he endorsed civil service reform, were still not certain enough of his reform credentials to back him over Senator George F. Edmunds of Vermont, who had long favored their cause.

Wikipedia

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

57 human-written examples

Hence, it is not certain that enough patients will be available for subgroup analyses.

BMJ Open

People who hold this opinion are often unsure about the existence of a higher being, but don't feel certain enough that the existence of a higher being has been disproved.

WikiHow

That's not certain, either, but enough agreement has emerged that Rodriguez, a native of what is now the Dominican Republic, was the first non-Indian to settle in New York that Mayor Michael R. Bloomberg signed legislation on Tuesday to co-name Broadway in Rodriguez's honor from 159th Street in Washington Heights to 218th Street in Inwood.

The New York Times

The Yankees could test him out in left field during those games, but they are not certain there would be enough time for that.

The New York Times - Sports

The Palestinians also have reason to pause, because it is not certain that they have enough votes to win in the security council whether or not the US vetoes the request.

The Guardian

Charlotte's political track record isn't exactly outstanding, and I'm not certain voters are concerned enough with the rights of sex workers or the laws surrounding British pornography to get that invested in her campaign.

Vice

Now he said he was not certain that even that was enough margin for safety.

The New York Times

"But certainly the agency has every right to say that the scientists are not certain, but they are confident enough that we think that the drafters of the ESA would want the species to be protected".

Science Magazine

However, it was not certain that there would be enough snow in Scotland during November so Iceland was chosen as the location to shoot the videos.

Wikipedia

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "not certain enough" when expressing that the level of certainty is insufficient for making a decision or taking action. For example, "The evidence is "not certain enough" to convict."

Common error

Avoid using "not certain enough" when the situation requires a stronger statement of disbelief or denial. Using it in such cases can weaken your argument. Instead, consider phrases like "definitely false" or "certainly wrong".

Linguistic Context

The phrase "not certain enough" functions as an adjectival phrase modifying a noun or pronoun. It expresses a degree of uncertainty, indicating that the level of certainty is insufficient for a given purpose. Ludwig AI confirms its correctness and usability.

Expression frequency: Rare

Frequent in

News & Media

50%

Wiki

25%

Science

25%

Less common in

Formal & Business

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "not certain enough" is a grammatically correct and usable expression to convey a lack of sufficient confidence or assurance. While Ludwig AI confirms its validity, its usage is relatively rare, predominantly appearing in news, wiki, and scientific contexts. When writing, remember to use it to express that the level of certainty is insufficient for a specific purpose. Consider alternatives like "not sufficiently sure" or "not quite convinced" to add nuance. Be mindful not to use it when a stronger statement of disbelief is required.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

not sufficiently sure

Replaces "certain enough" with a synonym, emphasizing the lack of sureness.

not quite convinced

Focuses on the lack of complete conviction or belief.

not entirely confident

Highlights a deficit in confidence regarding something.

unsure to a degree

Indicates a level of uncertainty without complete conviction.

lacking complete assurance

Emphasizes the absence of full assurance.

not absolutely positive

Highlights the absence of a completely positive outlook.

somewhat doubtful

Suggests a presence of doubt.

not adequately assured

Focuses on the inadequacy of the assurance.

not fully persuaded

Emphasizes a lack of complete persuasion.

not definite enough

Emphasizes a lack of definiteness.

FAQs

How can I use "not certain enough" in a sentence?

You can use "not certain enough" to express a lack of confidence or assurance. For instance, "I am "not certain enough" to invest in that venture."

What phrases can I use instead of "not certain enough"?

Alternatives include "not sufficiently sure", "not quite convinced", or "not entirely confident", depending on the context.

Is it better to say "not certain enough" or "uncertain"?

"Not certain enough" emphasizes a specific lack of sufficient certainty, whereas "uncertain" is a more general term for lacking sureness. The better choice depends on the specific nuance you want to convey.

What does "not certain enough" imply?

It implies that while there might be some level of belief or information, it doesn't reach the threshold required for confident decision-making or action. It suggests the need for more evidence or assurance.