not entirely certain

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "not entirely certain" is correct and usable in written English.
You can use it when expressing doubt or a lack of complete confidence in a statement or situation. Example: "I am not entirely certain about the outcome of the project, but I believe we are on the right track."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Encyclopedias

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

59 human-written examples

But Culebra's future is not entirely certain.

The New York Times

Cortana answered, "I'm not entirely certain".

The Guardian - Tech

I suspect the latter, but I'm not entirely certain.

The New York Times

The NRA is not entirely certain what to do with its partial success.

The Guardian

It's not entirely certain how much Nash's return will help the team.

The Guardian - Sport

Many are the times he's not entirely certain he's doing the right thing.

The New York Times

Nevertheless, Lee admits, he's not entirely certain why he, and indeed everyone else is here.

The Guardian - Music

It appears that Cholan-Tzeltalan and Greater Q'anjob'alan belong together in a single branch, though this is not entirely certain.

Encyclopedia Britannica

One is toasting the walnuts, a nice touch although I'm not entirely certain it's worth the effort.

The New York Times

But I must admit I would find it odd to buy a flight in the same way, and I am not entirely certain why this should be.

The Economist

Perhaps not entirely certain of Lester's staying power, Weaver featured him only three nights a week, with the warmer Morey Amsterdam hosting the remaining two nights.

Encyclopedia Britannica

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "not entirely certain" when you want to express a degree of uncertainty without completely dismissing an idea or possibility. It's more nuanced than simply saying "I don't know."

Common error

Avoid stacking multiple qualifiers like "not entirely completely certain" as this can make your writing sound redundant and less confident. Choose the most appropriate qualifier for the specific context.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "not entirely certain" functions as an adjectival phrase modifying a subject, expressing a state of incomplete knowledge or conviction. As confirmed by Ludwig, it's a correct and usable expression.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

57%

Science

22%

Encyclopedias

8%

Less common in

Wiki

3%

Formal & Business

0%

Social Media

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "not entirely certain" is a grammatically sound and frequently used expression to convey a sense of partial uncertainty or doubt. Ludwig confirms its correct usage across diverse contexts. Analyzing the contexts, it appears most often in News & Media, Science, and Encyclopedias. When writing, remember that while it's useful for expressing nuance, overusing qualifiers can weaken your message. Consider alternatives like "somewhat unsure" or "slightly uncertain" to add variety and precision to your writing. Overall, "not entirely certain" is a reliable way to communicate that you're not completely sure about something, but it should be used judiciously to maintain clarity and impact.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

slightly uncertain

Emphasizes the small degree of uncertainty involved.

not quite sure

A more informal way to express uncertainty.

not completely convinced

Focuses on a lack of full persuasion, implying some doubt remains.

cannot say for sure

Directly states an inability to confirm something with certainty.

somewhat unsure

Indicates a mild degree of uncertainty, less emphatic than "not entirely certain".

a bit doubtful

Suggests a slight hesitation or lack of confidence.

have some doubts

Highlights the presence of reservations or questions.

open to question

Similar to "questionable", suggesting the issue is not settled.

remain unconvinced

Implies that previous arguments or evidence have not been persuasive.

questionable to some extent

Indicates that the matter is open to doubt or debate.

FAQs

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

You can use "not entirely certain" to express a lack of complete confidence or knowledge about something. For example, "I am "not entirely certain" about the details of the plan, but I believe it will work".

What phrases are similar to "not entirely certain"?

Similar phrases include "somewhat unsure", "not completely convinced", or "slightly uncertain". The best choice depends on the specific nuance you want to convey.

Is it grammatically correct to say "not entirely certain"?

Yes, "not entirely certain" is grammatically correct and widely accepted in English. It's a common way to express a degree of uncertainty or doubt.

What is the difference between "not entirely certain" and "uncertain"?

"Uncertain" expresses a general lack of certainty. "Not entirely certain" implies a partial lack of certainty, suggesting that there might be some degree of confidence or knowledge, but it's not complete.