not for certain

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "not for certain" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used when expressing doubt or uncertainty about a particular situation or outcome. Example: "The weather forecast predicts rain tomorrow, but it's not for certain."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Wiki

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

25 human-written examples

But even they admit this is not for certain.

The New York Times

The lack of interest was not, for certain, lack of support for Hamas.

The New York Times

The Rays will be back; if not for certain in the playoffs, at least they will stay competitive.

The New York Times - Sports

Part of the problem we struggle with is the perception that Oxford is "not for" certain students – a problem that owes something to media reports.

The Guardian

But how do anti-virus researchers know where viruses come from?The answer is that they don't, or at least, not for certain.

The Economist

Were it not for certain unusual expenses, like the cost of integrating its two food businesses, Nabisco and Kraft, the company said its earnings would have been $1.24 a share, about a penny more than what Wall Street expected.

The New York Times

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

35 human-written examples

Asked if the man killed himself, Peters said, "That isn't for certain.

The Washington Post

"We can't for certain make the leap that the person who called the sister was the killer, although I believe that to be the case," Mr. Cohen said.

The New York Times

We don't for certain what happened to the prickly priest-prophet.

Huffington Post

The office manager said no and, trying to placate Samantha, went on to say that outfits that accentuate the figure aren't for "certain women".

Huffington Post

We do not know for certain - not even to within 20 years - when he was born.

The Guardian - Books

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "not for certain" when you want to express a degree of uncertainty without completely ruling out a possibility. It suggests that while something is not confirmed, it is also not impossible.

Common error

Avoid relying on phrases like "not for certain" too frequently, as this can make your writing seem indecisive. Instead, aim for more precise language where possible, providing specific reasons for your uncertainty or exploring alternative possibilities.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "not for certain" functions as an adverbial phrase modifying a verb or clause. It expresses a degree of uncertainty or doubt about the truth or validity of a statement. As Ludwig AI confirms, it is usable in written english. Examples in Ludwig show it qualifies statements about future events or current knowledge.

Expression frequency: Common

Frequent in

News & Media

64%

Science

24%

Wiki

8%

Less common in

Encyclopedias

4%

Formal & Business

0%

Social Media

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "not for certain" functions as an adverbial phrase expressing uncertainty or doubt. Ludwig AI confirms it's correct and usable in written English. It's commonly found in news and media, science and wiki contexts with neutral register. While grammatically sound and widely understood, aim for more precise language where possible to avoid vagueness. Alternatives like "not guaranteed" or "it is uncertain" can be used depending on the desired level of formality.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

not guaranteed

Emphasizes a lack of assurance or warranty.

not definite

Highlights the absence of clear or established facts.

not assured

Focuses on the lack of certainty or confidence.

not necessarily

Indicates that something is not an absolute requirement or condition.

possibly not

Directly expresses the possibility that something is untrue or will not happen.

not conclusively

Suggests a lack of definitive or irrefutable evidence.

it is uncertain

Formally states the absence of certainty.

it's doubtful

Conveys a sense of skepticism or disbelief.

remains to be seen

Implies that the outcome is still unknown and will become clear in the future.

subject to change

Highlights the possibility of alterations or modifications.

FAQs

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

You can use "not for certain" to express uncertainty about a future event or a current situation. For example, "The project will be completed by next week, but that's "not for certain"".

What's a more formal alternative to "not for certain"?

In more formal contexts, consider using phrases like "it is uncertain", "remains to be seen", or "not definite".

Is it correct to say "not for sure" instead of "not for certain"?

While "not for sure" is commonly used in informal speech, ""not for certain"" is generally considered more appropriate for formal writing.

What's the difference between "not for certain" and "unlikely"?

"Not for certain" implies that something is possible but not confirmed, while "unlikely" suggests that something is improbable but still possible. "Unlikely" indicates a stronger degree of doubt.