not very certain

USAGE SUMMARY

"not very certain" is a correct and usable phrase in written English.
It is often used to express doubt or uncertainty about something. For example: "I'm not very certain the bakery is still open."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Wiki

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

7 human-written examples

As a young critic, not very certain whether I was up to the task of reviewing a film by the great Luis Buñuel, I submitted my piece with some trepidation.

The Guardian - Film

"At that time we were not very certain," he said, "but we have discovered that some of these people who were active, who planned to overthrow the government by force of bombs, had activity in Pakistan and eventually to Afghanistan, where they did meet with the Al Qaeda people".

The New York Times

"You write a book," Stein plaintively says in "The Making of Americans," "and while you write it you are ashamed for everyone must think you are a silly or a crazy one and yet you write it and you are ashamed, you know you will be laughed at or pitied by every one and you have a queer feeling and you are not very certain and you go on writing.

The New Yorker

Yet, respondents who were not very certain of their choice demonstrated a significantly higher preference for seeking medical services (p < 0.0001).

BMC Health Services Research

Respondents who were not very certain of their choice (NRS 1 8) were more likely to prefer seeking medical care for the assessed case vignettes, prompting the adage: "When in doubt, consult the doctor".

BMC Health Services Research

As mentioned above, a pragmatic method for controlling power when the observed value of D is not very certain is to define the desired precision with both absolute and relative limits.

BMC Medical Research Methodology

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

53 human-written examples

In addition, while the intrinsic fluorescence signals from metal nanoparticles are not very strong, certain types of metal clusters and nanoparticles can be employed for fluorescent imaging or PAT.

BioMed Research International

"So far, the investigations we have been able to make show that even the authorities in Equatorial Guinea are not yet very certain as to the identity of those who carried out the act," Ojo Maduekwe, Nigeria's foreign minister, told reporters in Abuja.

The New York Times

"You might be on edge for some reason because the signs are strange or unusual, but it's not always very certain what you are looking at.

BBC

Rangers goalkeeper Wes Foderingham does not look very certain with the ball at his feet as he clumsily boots the ball out the park under pressure.

BBC

You don't seem very certain.

The Guardian

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "not very certain" to express a moderate level of doubt or uncertainty, suitable for situations where complete assurance is lacking but strong disbelief is not intended.

Common error

Avoid using "not very certain" when a stronger expression of doubt is warranted. If you have significant reservations, consider phrases like "highly doubtful" or "unlikely" to more accurately reflect your level of uncertainty.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "not very certain" functions as an adjectival phrase, modifying a noun or pronoun to indicate a state of uncertainty or a lack of complete confidence. Ludwig examples shows it is commonly used to express a qualified assessment of one's sureness.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

42%

Science

37%

Wiki

8%

Less common in

Formal & Business

5%

Academia

5%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "not very certain" is a common and grammatically correct adjectival phrase used to express a moderate degree of doubt or uncertainty. As Ludwig AI confirms, it's frequently used across diverse contexts like News & Media and Science, making it a versatile option for expressing qualified opinions. While "not very certain" is a neutral expression, writers should be mindful of overstating or understating the level of uncertainty and may want to consider alternatives such as "somewhat uncertain" or "a bit doubtful" depending on the intended nuance.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

somewhat uncertain

Indicates a slightly lesser degree of certainty than the original phrase.

not entirely sure

Emphasizes the lack of complete sureness about something.

a bit doubtful

Highlights a sense of hesitation or skepticism.

not completely convinced

Focuses on the absence of full persuasion or belief.

rather unsure

Implies a noticeable lack of confidence or certainty.

not really confident

Emphasizes a lack of self-assurance regarding a particular matter.

hesitant

Highlights a pause or reluctance due to uncertainty.

unsure

A more concise way of expressing a lack of certainty.

vague

Indicates a lack of clarity and precision, implying uncertainty.

unclear

Highlights a lack of understanding or certainty about a specific topic.

FAQs

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

You can use "not very certain" to express a moderate degree of doubt. For example, "I am "not very certain" about the accuracy of this data".

What are some alternatives to "not very certain"?

Alternatives include "somewhat uncertain", "not entirely sure", or "a bit doubtful". The best choice depends on the context and the specific nuance you want to convey.

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

Both are correct, but "not very certain" implies a lesser degree of uncertainty than simply saying "uncertain". Choose the phrase that best reflects your actual level of doubt.

When is it appropriate to use "not very certain" in formal writing?

It is appropriate in formal writing when you want to express a moderate level of doubt without being overly forceful or dismissive. It's suitable for situations where you need to acknowledge uncertainty while still maintaining a professional tone.