perfectly certain

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "perfectly certain" is correct and usable in written English.
You can use it when expressing complete confidence or assurance about something. Example: "I am perfectly certain that we will meet our deadline."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Wiki

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

4 human-written examples

I am perfectly certain the BBC had no idea whatsoever of the goings on.

The Guardian

Newsnight's key witness, Rippon asserts, "said she was perfectly certain the BBC had no idea whatsoever of the goings-on".

The Guardian

Being in that kind of contact with my childhood is vital to me, but it doesn't make me perfectly certain I know what I'm doing in my work.

The New Yorker

To be honest, I'm not perfectly certain this is everything needed to perform the glitch, but I did this and it worked.

WikiHow

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

55 human-written examples

I can find no way around the thicket of laws and procedures that effectively allow the Executive Branch of our Government to proclaim as perfectly lawful certain actions that seem on their face incompatible with our Constitution and laws, while keeping the reasons for their conclusions a secret".

The Economist

"I can find no way around the thicket of laws and precedents that effectively allow the executive branch of our government to proclaim as perfectly lawful certain actions that seem on their face incompatible with our Constitution and laws while keeping the reasons for their conclusion a secret," she wrote, adding, "The Alice-in-Wonderland nature of this pronouncement is not lost on me".

The New York Times

What's surprising is that it works "perfectly" in certain conditions right now, and that we could all be walking around talking into one in just a few years time, which means it'll be here before we know it.

TechCrunch

I can find no way around the thicket of laws and precedents that effectively allow the Executive Branch of our Government to proclaim as perfectly lawful certain actions that seem on their face incompatible with our Constitution and laws, while keeping the reasons for their conclusion a secret.

Huffington Post

The present report indicates that some patients with drug-induced LQTS display in fact the saLQTS and would tolerate perfectly well certain KCNH2 blockers.

BMC Psychiatry

In addition, we showed that the two groups did not match perfectly in certain general characteristics (i.e. greater mean age and longer history of opiate abuse in the control group).

BMC Psychiatry

But every now and then, the word perfectly explains a certain person.

The New York Times - Books

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "perfectly certain" to express a strong, unwavering conviction. Ensure the context warrants such a high degree of assurance.

Common error

Avoid using "perfectly certain" when the situation involves inherent uncertainty or a degree of speculation. Overstating confidence can undermine credibility.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "perfectly certain" functions as an adverbial modifier strengthening the adjective "certain". It intensifies the degree of conviction or assurance. As Ludwig AI confirms, this phrase is indeed grammatically correct.

Expression frequency: Rare

Frequent in

News & Media

50%

Wiki

25%

Science

25%

Less common in

Formal & Business

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Academia

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "perfectly certain" is used to express a strong, unwavering conviction. Ludwig AI validates its grammatical correctness and provides several examples of its use in news, wiki and scientific sources. While the phrase is relatively rare, with a neutral register, alternative phrases like "absolutely sure" or "completely confident" can be used depending on the context. When using this phrase, be sure that the context allows such a strong sentiment to be expressed.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

absolutely sure

Emphasizes the completeness of certainty, similar to perfectly, but uses a different adjective.

definitely sure

Uses "definitely" to reinforce certainty, offering a more direct alternative.

completely confident

Focuses on the feeling of confidence rather than the certainty itself.

entirely convinced

Highlights the state of being persuaded or convinced without any doubt.

undeniably certain

Stresses the impossibility of denying the certainty, adding a layer of emphasis.

unequivocally sure

Emphasizes that there is no doubt or question about the certainty.

wholly assured

Indicates a complete sense of reassurance, shifting the emphasis slightly.

positive without a doubt

Expresses certainty by negating any possibility of doubt.

firmly convinced

Highlights the strength and stability of the conviction.

unquestionably certain

Indicates that the certainty is beyond any question or dispute.

FAQs

What does "perfectly certain" mean?

The phrase "perfectly certain" means completely sure or confident about something, leaving no room for doubt. It emphasizes a high degree of assurance.

How can I use "perfectly certain" in a sentence?

You can use "perfectly certain" to express your complete confidence, such as: "I am "absolutely sure" that this is the right decision" or "She seemed "completely confident" about her answer".

What are some alternatives to "perfectly certain"?

Alternatives include "absolutely sure", "completely confident", and "entirely convinced". The choice depends on the specific nuance you want to convey.

Is it more emphatic to say "perfectly certain" or "certain"?

Saying "perfectly certain" is more emphatic than simply saying "certain". The adverb "perfectly" intensifies the degree of certainty being expressed.