prove for sure

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "prove for sure" is not standard in written English and may sound awkward to some readers.
It can be used when you want to emphasize certainty in proving something, but it is better to use more conventional expressions. Example: "I need to find a way to prove for sure that my theory is correct."

News & Media

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

3 human-written examples

It's also hard to prove for sure whether a new way of making people is really safe, although Embryotools says it has spent several years trying the technique on animals like mice.

MIT Technology Review

Of course, it's difficult to prove for sure how religions evolved without going back in time and seeing the process in action.

Science Magazine

Why DavIt Cameron's Pledge to Take 20,000 Syrian Refugees Is Pathardc.

Vice

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

57 human-written examples

Dr Jaisson suspects, though he has not yet proved for sure, that all the ants in the colony are genetically identical like the cells in a single human body.

The Economist

Watergate proved, for sure, that no man is above the law, not even the president -- and that's good.

Huffington Post

Me: "Sorry to interrupt, but with all due respect, I can't resist asking: Doesn't that suggest that maybe communism doesn't work so well?" KM: "Well, all it proves for sure is that it hasn't worked yet.

Huffington Post

Moore has proven that for sure – and in a short space of time.

The Guardian - Sport

They suspected Norman, but had no way of proving it for sure, so they decided to spend $5000 installing security cameras in the carpark.

Vice

"Makes you want to prove him right, for sure".

Los Angeles Times

That may prove a sure recipe for a divided nation, whatever happens on May 14th.

The Economist

Almost sure convergence to a Nash equilibrium is proved for diminishing step sizes.

Automatica

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When aiming for formal or academic writing, consider replacing "prove for sure" with more concise and sophisticated alternatives like "prove definitively" or "establish conclusively" to enhance clarity and precision.

Common error

Avoid using "prove for sure" excessively in formal documents or academic papers. While understandable, it may come across as informal. Instead, choose stronger verbs and adverbs to express certainty, creating a more professional tone.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "prove for sure" functions as a verbal phrase aiming to emphasize the certainty of a claim or statement. It combines the action of proving with an intensifier, though Ludwig suggests that it could be more concise.

Expression frequency: Uncommon

Frequent in

News & Media

40%

Science

30%

Wiki

10%

Less common in

Academia

10%

Formal & Business

5%

Reference

5%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "prove for sure" is an acceptable way to emphasize certainty when providing evidence, although it may sound slightly informal or redundant in formal contexts. Ludwig suggests that alternatives like "prove definitively" or "establish conclusively" could be more suitable for academic or professional writing. Its common usage spans across News & Media and Scientific domains, but less frequently in Academia. While grammatically correct, its effectiveness depends on the intended audience and context. Choosing stronger verbs and adverbs can enhance clarity and provide a more sophisticated tone in professional settings, as also noted by Ludwig.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

prove definitively

Replaces "for sure" with a single word emphasizing the conclusiveness of the proof.

prove without a doubt

Highlights the absence of any uncertainty in the proof.

establish conclusively

Focuses on the firm establishment of a fact or claim.

demonstrate conclusively

Emphasizes the clear and convincing demonstration of something.

confirm beyond any doubt

Combines confirmation with the elimination of uncertainty.

ascertain with certainty

Highlights the process of finding something out with complete assurance.

verify undoubtedly

Focuses on the unquestionable verification of information.

substantiate definitively

Emphasizes providing solid evidence to support a claim beyond question.

validate with assurance

Highlights the act of confirming the validity of something with confidence.

establish with certainty

Similar to 'establish conclusively' but puts more emphasis on the sureness of the establishment.

FAQs

What does "prove for sure" mean?

The phrase "prove for sure" means to establish something as true or factual beyond any doubt. It's used to emphasize certainty when providing evidence or confirmation.

What can I say instead of "prove for sure"?

You can use alternatives like "prove definitively", "establish conclusively", or "demonstrate conclusively" to sound more formal.

Is "prove for sure" grammatically correct?

While commonly used, "prove for sure" can be seen as slightly redundant. The verb 'prove' already implies certainty. Using alternatives can enhance clarity and conciseness.

When is it appropriate to use "prove for sure"?

The phrase "prove for sure" is appropriate in informal settings and everyday conversations where emphasis is desired. However, in formal writing, consider using more precise and impactful alternatives.