not ever sure

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "not ever sure" is correct and usable in written English, though it may sound somewhat informal.
You can use it to express uncertainty or doubt about something in a conversational context. Example: "I was not ever sure if I made the right decision until I saw the results."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Wiki

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

3 human-written examples

"But you're not ever sure how productive they're going to be.

The New York Times - Sports

My grandpa, not remembering -- and not ever sure it was true -- played along.

Huffington Post

You're not ever sure which one is driving which, but you can kind of take a good guess at it.

Huffington Post

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

56 human-written examples

"I wasn't ever sure that I'd ever actually have her.

Huffington Post

It was a record I'd hear in clubs I wasn't ever sure that I liked or not, and a record I'd play before going to those clubs because it reminded me of those clubs.

Vice

He was an off-the-wall guy, and you weren't really ever sure what he would do".

Wikipedia

"His final gift to me is a life of not knowing, not ever knowing for sure".

The Guardian - Lifestyle

We might not ever know for sure, or will we?

Huffington Post

I wasn't ever even sure if there was film in the camera.

The Guardian - Film

But you can't ever be sure that it's gone forever unless other fresh tunes totally drown it out.

The Guardian - Opinion

Like the final, cryptic shot in the great Austrian director Michael Haneke's psychological thriller Hidden, we can't ever be sure.

The Guardian - Film

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When expressing uncertainty, consider the context and audience. "Not ever sure" is acceptable in informal settings but might benefit from a more formal alternative like "never completely certain" in professional writing.

Common error

Avoid using multiple negatives in a single sentence with "not ever sure". While "not ever sure" is grammatically correct, adding another negative can create confusion. For example, instead of saying "I wasn't not ever sure", opt for a clearer phrasing like "I was always unsure".

Linguistic Context

The phrase "not ever sure" functions as an adverbial modifier expressing uncertainty or a lack of confidence. As Ludwig AI points out, it's used to qualify a statement with a degree of doubt.

Expression frequency: Uncommon

Frequent in

News & Media

60%

Wiki

20%

Science

20%

Less common in

Formal & Business

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "not ever sure" is a grammatically correct phrase used to express uncertainty, but leans towards informal contexts. As shown by Ludwig, it appears most often in News & Media. For formal writing, alternatives such as "never completely certain" or "remain uncertain" are preferable. It's important to avoid double negatives when using this phrase to maintain clarity. Remember that although Ludwig AI indicates its correctness, the tone is generally informal. When in doubt, opt for a more precise expression of uncertainty.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

not really certain

Emphasizes the uncertainty using "really" instead of "ever".

never completely certain

Substitutes "not ever sure" with a stronger emphasis on the absence of certainty.

remain uncertain

Expresses a continuing state of uncertainty.

not entirely convinced

Replaces "sure" with "convinced" to imply a lack of complete belief.

a bit unsure

Uses "a bit" to soften the degree of uncertainty.

not entirely positive

Replaces "sure" with "positive" to convey uncertainty with an alternative wording.

somewhat doubtful

Uses "doubtful" instead of "sure" to express a degree of skepticism.

have some doubts

Expresses uncertainty by directly stating the existence of doubts.

questionable in my mind

Phrases uncertainty as a personal assessment of something being questionable.

not sold on the idea

Idiomatic expression indicating a lack of full agreement or certainty about something.

FAQs

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

You can use "not ever sure" to express uncertainty about a past, present, or future event. For example: "I was "never completely certain" about my decision until I saw the positive outcome."

What are some alternatives to "not ever sure"?

Alternatives include "not entirely convinced", "somewhat doubtful", or "not really certain" depending on the specific nuance you wish to convey.

Is "not ever sure" formal or informal?

"Not ever sure" leans towards the informal side. In professional or academic writing, consider using more formal alternatives like "never completely certain" or "remain uncertain".

What's the difference between "not ever sure" and "not even sure"?

While both express uncertainty, "not even sure" often implies a higher degree of doubt or surprise. "Not ever sure" suggests a consistent lack of certainty, whereas "not even sure" can highlight a sudden realization of uncertainty. Consider phrasing your sentence with "not really certain".