reasonably certain

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "reasonably certain" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used when expressing a level of confidence or assurance about a particular outcome or situation, typically in legal or formal contexts. Example: "The evidence presented in court made the jury reasonably certain of the defendant's guilt."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Formal & Business

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

"We are reasonably certain".

The New York Times - Magazine

But we're reasonably certain it won't be pretty.

The New York Times

I felt reasonably certain she would back me up.

The New York Times - Style

Whatever happens to them, you're reasonably certain that these two survivors will, indeed, survive.

The New York Times

When I decided to leave, I was reasonably certain I could have been reelected too.

Harvard Business Review

Proven reserves are oil and gas resources that are reasonably certain to be produced.

The New York Times

I'm reasonably certain about 1995, given the sudden changes in the trends.

The Guardian - Tech

"The one thing that's reasonably certain," Dr. Spertzel said, "is that the Florida case is intentional".

The New York Times

"We are reasonably certain that it collapsed inexplicably but on its own," Mr. Holzer said.

The New York Times - Arts

It is no longer possible to be even reasonably certain about this.

The Guardian - Opinion

But lawyers accept these cases only when they are reasonably certain of victory.

The Guardian

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "reasonably certain" when you want to express a justified level of confidence, based on available evidence or information, without claiming absolute certainty.

Common error

Avoid using "reasonably certain" when the evidence is weak or anecdotal. It should reflect a genuine assessment based on tangible information, not wishful thinking. If the situation is ambiguous, consider using less assertive phrases.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "reasonably certain" functions as an adjective phrase that modifies a noun or pronoun. It describes a state of being convinced or assured to a considerable degree, based on available information or evidence. Ludwig AI confirms this usage through numerous examples from various sources.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

60%

Formal & Business

20%

Science

10%

Less common in

Wiki

3%

Academia

2%

Encyclopedias

1%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "reasonably certain" is a grammatically sound and frequently used expression to convey a justifiable level of confidence. Ludwig AI analysis reveals that the phrase sees prevalent use in news and media, business, and formal contexts. While it communicates assurance, it acknowledges potential for error. When writing, use "reasonably certain" when your conclusions are based on concrete evidence, and consider similar alternatives like "fairly confident" or "relatively sure" depending on the context to avoid overstatement.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

reasonably sure

A more concise and slightly less formal alternative to "reasonably certain".

relatively sure

Similar in meaning, but emphasizes the comparative aspect of the certainty.

reasonably assured

Highlights the state of having been given assurance.

fairly confident

Indicates a slightly lower level of certainty than "reasonably certain".

generally confident

Suggests a broader base of confidence, rather than a specific certainty.

largely convinced

Focuses on the state of being persuaded, rather than the level of certainty.

mostly assured

Similar, but highlights the feeling of reassurance about something.

quite positive

Indicates a strong belief, but not necessarily based on definitive proof.

pretty sure

More informal and colloquial than "reasonably certain".

fairly well convinced

Emphasizes the process of becoming convinced to a reasonable degree.

FAQs

How to use "reasonably certain" in a sentence?

Use "reasonably certain" to express a justified level of confidence. For example, "The scientists are "reasonably certain" about the effectiveness of the vaccine".

What can I say instead of "reasonably certain"?

You can use alternatives like "fairly confident", "pretty sure", or "relatively sure" depending on the context.

Which is correct, "reasonably certain" or "absolutely certain"?

"Absolutely certain" implies complete and unwavering conviction, while "reasonably certain" indicates a more measured confidence based on available evidence. Choose the phrase that accurately reflects your level of certainty.

What's the difference between "reasonably certain" and "very likely"?

"Very likely" suggests a high probability, while "reasonably certain" implies a reasoned judgment based on specific information. "Very likely" focuses more on the statistical chance of something occurring.