sure about

USAGE SUMMARY

"sure about" is correct and usable in written English.
You can use it when you want to make sure someone knows that you are certain about something. For example: "I'm sure about my decision to take a gap year and travel."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

I'm not very sure about really.

BMJ Open

I'm sure about that.

Independent

He wasn't sure about words.

The New Yorker

He is sure about that.

The New Yorker

I'm not sure about Amazon.

The Economist

Are you sure about them?

The New York Times

"Are you sure about Camelot?

Independent

I wasn't sure about this.

The New Yorker

"I'm not sure about it.

The New York Times

Was he sure about that?

The New York Times - Sports

We weren't sure about him.

The New York Times - Sports

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "sure about" to express confidence or certainty in a decision, fact, or person. For example, "I'm sure about my career path."

Common error

Avoid using "sure about" with vague pronouns like 'it' or 'that' without clear context. Instead, specify what you are sure about to maintain clarity. Instead of saying "I'm not sure about it", try "I'm not sure about the proposed plan".

Linguistic Context

The phrase "sure about" functions as a subjective complement, typically following a linking verb (such as 'be') to describe the subject's state of certainty or confidence. Ludwig AI confirms that "sure about" is correct and usable in written English. Examples from Ludwig demonstrate its use in expressing assurance or doubt regarding a particular matter.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

60%

Science

20%

Formal & Business

10%

Less common in

Encyclopedias

3%

Wiki

4%

Reference

3%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "sure about" is a versatile and common expression used to convey a sense of certainty or confidence. Ludwig AI confirms its grammatical correctness and wide applicability. It functions as a subjective complement, primarily used to express the speaker's conviction regarding a particular matter. While suitable for various contexts, it's particularly prevalent in news and media. When using "sure about", ensure clarity by specifying the object of your certainty. Alternatives like ""certain of"" or ""confident in"" can be used to add nuance or emphasis.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

absolutely certain

Emphasizes complete and unwavering assurance, akin to being entirely "sure about" something without any reservation.

certain of

Indicates a strong belief or conviction, similar to being "sure about" something.

definitely convinced

Highlights a state of being strongly persuaded and without doubt, like being completely "sure about" something.

confident in

Implies trust or assurance in someone or something, akin to being "sure about" their abilities or reliability.

convinced of

Suggests a firm belief based on evidence or reasoning, similar to being "sure about" the truth or validity of something.

positive about

Expresses a favorable or optimistic outlook, comparable to being "sure about" a positive outcome or result.

have full confidence in

Indicates complete trust and assurance, akin to being entirely "sure about" someone's abilities or the success of something.

have no doubt about

Emphasizes the absence of uncertainty or hesitation, similar to being completely "sure about" something.

firmly believe in

Highlights a strong and unwavering conviction, alike being "sure about" the importance or value of something.

without a doubt

Underscores the certainty of something, similar to stating one is absolutely "sure about" it.

FAQs

How can I use "sure about" in a sentence?

Use "sure about" to express certainty or confidence regarding something. For example, you might say, "I am "certain of" my decision" or "Are you "confident in" your answer?".

What are some alternatives to "sure about"?

Depending on the context, you can use phrases like ""certain of"", ""confident in"", or "convinced of" as alternatives to "sure about".

Is it correct to say "sure of" instead of "sure about"?

Yes, "sure of" is another correct way to phrase this. Both "sure of" and "sure about" are acceptable, but "sure about" may be more common in contemporary usage.

What's the difference between "sure about" and "absolutely certain"?

"Absolutely certain" emphasizes a higher degree of certainty than "sure about". While "sure about" indicates confidence, "absolutely certain" implies complete and unwavering conviction.