she was sure

USAGE SUMMARY

"She was sure" is a correct and usable phrase in written English.
You can use this phrase to express certainty that something is true. For example: "She was sure that she had seen him somewhere before."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

59 human-written examples

She was sure that people would see her behavior as postpartum depression or psychosis.

The New York Times

The crocodile was surely faking it.She was sure of it and she was sure.

The New Yorker

She was sure.

The New Yorker

But she was sure.

The Guardian - Books

She was sure of it.

The New Yorker

She was sure of this.

The New Yorker

Mr. Chávez, she was sure, could help.

The New York Times

She says she was sure of herself.

The New York Times

I asked if she was sure.

The New York Times - Tech

She was sure she could not be.

The New Yorker

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

1 human-written examples

Until that time, she was sure that she would leave the South.

The Washington Post

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "she was sure" to clearly convey a character's conviction or confidence in a narrative, ensuring it aligns with their established personality and motivations. For example, "Despite the evidence to the contrary, she was sure he would return."

Common error

Avoid following "she was sure" with "of that" when a simple "that" clause will suffice. For example, instead of "She was sure of that he would come", use "She was sure that he would come".

Linguistic Context

The phrase "she was sure" primarily functions as a declarative statement, expressing a state of certainty or conviction held by a female subject. This construction is commonly used to convey a character's belief in narratives, as demonstrated by Ludwig's examples.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

99%

Science

0%

Formal & Business

0%

Less common in

Academia

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Wiki

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "she was sure" is a common and grammatically sound way to express a female subject's conviction or certainty. Ludwig AI confirms its validity and provides numerous examples across various contexts, primarily in news and media. While alternatives exist, "she was sure" remains a direct and effective choice for conveying a character's state of mind. When using this phrase, consider the context and ensure it aligns with the intended tone and the character's established traits. Avoid unnecessary prepositional phrases like "of that" for conciseness and clarity.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

she was absolutely sure

Intensifies the degree of certainty using "absolutely".

she felt certain

Replaces "sure" with "certain", emphasizing the emotional aspect of the conviction.

she was convinced

Indicates a strong belief formed after some consideration or evidence.

she had no doubt

Emphasizes the absence of uncertainty in her mind.

she was positive

Similar to "sure" but can imply a more assertive or confident stance.

she firmly believed

Highlights the strength and conviction of her belief.

she was certain beyond doubt

Adds extra emphasis to the certainty, making it undeniable.

she knew for a fact

Suggests that her certainty is based on concrete evidence or knowledge.

she was quite sure

Uses "quite" to express a moderate degree of certainty.

she was under the impression

Implies a belief based on intuition or assumption, but with conviction.

FAQs

How can I use "she was sure" in a sentence?

Use "she was sure" to express a character's strong belief or conviction. For instance, "She was sure that she had locked the door before leaving."

What's a good alternative to "she was sure"?

Alternatives include "she was certain", "she was convinced", or "she felt certain", depending on the nuance you want to convey.

Is it correct to say "she was sure of" something?

Yes, it's correct. You can say "she was sure of" something followed by a noun phrase or pronoun. For example, "She was sure of her decision" or "She was sure of it".

What's the difference between "she was sure" and "she felt sure"?

"She was sure" implies a cognitive conviction, while "she felt sure" suggests an intuitive or emotional certainty. The choice depends on whether you want to emphasize thought or feeling.