sure

USAGE SUMMARY

The word "sure" is correct and usable in written English.
It is typically used to express agreement or acceptance. For example, you could say "Okay, I'll do the task. Sure, I'll get it done by tomorrow."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

Are you sure?

The Guardian - Lifestyle

The EU may be getting the booby prize for peace because it sure hasn't created prosperity.

The Guardian

I have no ideas and I'm not sure where to begin".

The Guardian

"I am not sure".

The New York Times - Science

I am not so sure.

The Guardian - Opinion

No one can say for sure.

The New York Times

"The Commission needs to make sure that consumers continue to have access to a wide variety of music in different physical and digital formats at competitive conditions".

The New York Times

Whether the Earth was created in 7 days, or 7 actual eras, I'm not sure we'll ever be able to answer that.

The New York Times

He was not sure.

The New York Times

"I'm not so sure.

The New York Times - Magazine

I'm not sure how long it will take for me to get over this.

The Guardian - Sport

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "sure" as an interjection to express agreement, ensure it aligns with the tone of the conversation. It's generally suitable for informal settings.

Common error

While "sure" is acceptable in many contexts, avoid overusing it in formal documents or academic papers. Opt for more formal alternatives like "certainly" or "definitely" to maintain a professional tone.

Linguistic Context

The word "sure" serves multiple grammatical functions, acting as an adjective to describe certainty, an adverb to emphasize an action, and an interjection to express agreement. Ludwig provides ample examples of these varied uses. Ludwig AI confirms that "sure" is correct and usable in written English.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

95%

Formal & Business

3%

Science

1%

Less common in

Encyclopedias

0%

Wiki

0%

Social Media

1%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

"Sure" is a versatile word in English, functioning as an adjective, adverb, and interjection to convey certainty, emphasis, and agreement. Ludwig AI confirms its correct and frequent usage across various contexts, especially in news and media. While generally neutral in tone, it is essential to consider more formal alternatives in academic and professional writing. Understanding the nuances of "sure" and its alternatives allows for more precise and effective communication.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

certainly

Emphasizes conviction or inevitability, similar to "sure" in expressing certainty.

definitely

Indicates a firm and unambiguous affirmation, akin to "sure" when used to agree.

absolutely

Conveys complete agreement or affirmation, mirroring "sure" in its affirmative usage.

of course

Expresses obviousness or agreement, similar to "sure" when acknowledging something.

without a doubt

Highlights the absence of uncertainty, analogous to "sure" in indicating confidence.

assuredly

Implies confidence and certainty, akin to "sure" in conveying conviction.

positively

Indicates a firm and undeniable assertion, reflecting "sure" in expressing affirmation.

undoubtedly

Emphasizes the lack of doubt or question, similar to "sure" in expressing certainty.

indeed

Confirms a statement or expresses agreement, mirroring "sure" in its affirmative usage.

agreed

Directly expresses consent or agreement, serving as an alternative to "sure" in such contexts.

FAQs

How can I use "sure" in a sentence?

"Sure" can be used as an adjective (e.g., "This is a "sure thing""), an adverb (e.g., "I "sure did"!"), or an interjection (e.g., "Sure, I'll help you").

What are some alternatives to saying "sure"?

Depending on the context, you can use alternatives like "certainly", "definitely", "absolutely", or "of course".

Is it grammatically correct to use "sure" as a response?

Yes, using "sure" as a response to indicate agreement or acceptance is grammatically correct, especially in informal settings. More formal contexts might call for alternatives.

What is the difference between "sure" and "certain"?

While both words indicate a lack of doubt, "sure" is often used in more casual contexts, while "certain" can imply a more formal or emphatic assurance. For example, "I am "certain" of the facts" sounds more resolute than "I am "sure" of the facts".