not very sure

USAGE SUMMARY

"not very sure" is correct and usable in written English.
You can use it to indicate that you are uncertain or lack confidence about something. For example: "I'm not very sure what to do next."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Academia

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

28 human-written examples

I am not very sure but the updates of is1_xtra and is2_xtra are correct, right?

Yale University

"I was holding him and I was not very sure he would survive," he said.

The New York Times

All my life, I've gone back to Stamford, sometimes not very sure what to do next.

The New York Times - Sports

"We're still not very sure what is actually happening when people chew qat," he says.

The Guardian

Napoleon tugging Boris's ear and Boris being really not very sure about it at all.

The Guardian - TV & Radio

It seems, somehow, like a show that's not very sure of itself.

The New York Times - Arts

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

32 human-written examples

A Muslim from the central Ivorian village of Daoukro, he wasn't very sure where else to go.

Independent

I remember one time I was kind of playing some of the obvious changes, and she was like "uh, uh, uh, uh". She wanted to make sure that we stayed in the area where we weren't very sure where we were going to go and where it really kept spontaneity going.

The New York Times - Arts

"Investors aren't very sure where to turn when interest rates are on the rise," he said.

Forbes

"He struck me as very intelligent, calm, passionate but also very aware - he could represent the balance of a few hundred thousand kids who weren't very sure of what they were demonstrating about".

BBC

And "I just felt a bit pushed off; I was told they didn't have the services for me.... and I thought well, what do you need to deal with me?" Most were very wary of going to the Clinic and feared adverse judgements: "I wasn't very sure...I thought maybe I would be labelled a junkie.

BMC Pregnancy and Childbirth

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When expressing uncertainty, provide context. Instead of simply stating "I'm "not very sure"", explain what you're unsure about and why to provide clarity.

Common error

While "not very sure" is acceptable, avoid using it excessively in your writing. Vary your language by using alternatives like "somewhat uncertain" or "slightly doubtful" to maintain reader engagement.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "not very sure" functions as a qualifier, specifically an adjectival phrase that modifies a subject, expressing a degree of uncertainty or a lack of confidence. Ludwig AI confirms the phrase's usability in written English.

Expression frequency: Common

Frequent in

News & Media

40%

Science

30%

Academia

15%

Less common in

Wiki

5%

Formal & Business

5%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "not very sure" is a common and grammatically correct adjectival phrase used to express a moderate degree of uncertainty or a lack of confidence. As Ludwig AI confirms, it's usable in various contexts, particularly in News & Media, Science, and Academia. To enhance writing, it's advisable to provide context when using this phrase and to consider alternatives like "somewhat uncertain" or "slightly doubtful" to avoid repetition. The analysis reveals that "not very sure" serves to convey hesitation or incomplete knowledge in a relatively neutral register.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

not quite certain

Very close in meaning, but "quite" adds a nuance of approximation.

a bit unsure

Similar in meaning, but uses "a bit" to soften the uncertainty.

not entirely convinced

Emphasizes a lack of complete belief or persuasion.

somewhat uncertain

Indicates a degree of uncertainty, but potentially less strong than the original phrase.

slightly doubtful

Highlights a small degree of disbelief or skepticism.

having reservations

Similar to "harboring doubts", but focuses on specific concerns.

questioning

Implies an active process of doubting or wondering.

relatively hesitant

Focuses on the reluctance or pause before taking action or making a decision.

harboring doubts

Suggests the presence of lingering uncertainty or reservations.

fairly dubious

Suggests a moderate level of skepticism or suspicion.

FAQs

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

Use "not very sure" to express a lack of confidence or certainty about something. For example, "I am "not very sure" about the answer to that question".

What phrases are similar to "not very sure"?

Alternatives to "not very sure" include phrases like "somewhat uncertain", "a bit unsure", or "not entirely convinced".

Is it better to say "not very sure" or "unsure"?

"Not very sure" adds a degree of nuance, implying a slight lack of certainty. "Unsure" is more direct. The best choice depends on the context and the level of uncertainty you want to convey.

What's the difference between "not very sure" and "not sure"?

"Not sure" indicates a complete lack of certainty, while ""not very sure"" suggests a partial or weaker form of uncertainty. You might use ""not very sure"" when you have some information but lack full confidence.