not certainly

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "not certainly" is correct and usable in written English.
It is used to express doubt or hesitation about something. For example, "I'm not certainly sure what type of flowers to bring to the funeral."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

Perhaps, but not certainly so.

The Economist

So possibly, but not certainly.

The Guardian - Tech

The figure is probably male, but not certainly.

Independent

Best to leave him probably, but not certainly, dead.

The New York Times

Presumably, though not certainly, the virus could spread in the same way among people.

The New York Times - Science

"It's certainly not the justice system, and it's not certainly not the political party being targeted".

The New York Times

That will more than likely – albeit not certainly – result in a recall.

The New York Times

It may be down, but it's not certainly not out.(Picture credit: AFP).

The Economist

"It's not how you measure print, it's not, certainly, how you measure digital.

The New York Times

Not, certainly, out of any sense of the wrongness and cruelty of this particular act.

The New York Times

They are not certainly not wagging them like a happy dog.

The Guardian - Music

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "not certainly" to express a degree of doubt or uncertainty that is less strong than a definitive 'no'. It suggests a possibility, however small, remains.

Common error

While grammatically correct, "not certainly" can sound somewhat awkward or verbose in very formal contexts. Consider stronger, more direct alternatives like "unlikely" or "doubtful" for a more impactful tone.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "not certainly" functions as an adverbial modifier, expressing a degree of uncertainty or doubt. As Ludwig AI confirms, the phrase is grammatically correct and usable in English. Examples show it modifies verbs or entire clauses to indicate that something is not assured.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

53%

Science

38%

Wiki

4%

Less common in

Formal & Business

3%

Opinion

1%

Reference

1%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "not certainly" is a grammatically correct and frequently used phrase that functions as an adverbial modifier to express uncertainty. As Ludwig AI's analysis indicates, it's commonly found in news and media, as well as scientific contexts, suggesting a neutral to slightly formal register. When writing, consider stronger alternatives like "unlikely" or "doubtful" in very formal contexts to avoid sounding verbose. Ludwig examples also shows its role in mitigating claims and communicating cautious predictions.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

not definitely

Uses a different adverb to express uncertainty.

not necessarily

Indicates that something is not an inevitable consequence.

not undoubtedly

Emphasizes the lack of absolute certainty.

not assuredly

Replaces "certainly" with a synonym expressing confidence.

not conclusively

Suggests the evidence is not yet decisive.

possibly not

Inverts the structure to place emphasis on the possibility.

perhaps not

Uses an adverb of possibility to express doubt.

maybe not

Informal way of expressing uncertainty.

it's not certain

Reformulates the phrase as a clause using "certain" as an adjective.

it is doubtful

Employs an adjective indicating skepticism.

FAQs

How can I use "not certainly" in a sentence?

Use "not certainly" to express uncertainty about an outcome or situation. For example, "The project will likely be completed on time, but "not certainly"".

What are some alternatives to "not certainly"?

You can use alternatives like "not definitely", "not necessarily", or "possibly not" depending on the context.

Is "not certainly" grammatically correct?

Yes, "not certainly" is grammatically correct. It functions as an adverbial phrase modifying a verb or clause to express uncertainty.

Is there a difference in formality between "not certainly" and "maybe not"?

"Not certainly" is generally considered more formal than "maybe not". "Maybe not" is suitable for informal conversation, while "not certainly" can be used in more formal writing or speech.