sure enough

USAGE SUMMARY

"sure enough" is correct and usable in written English.
It is an expression of certainty and typically follows an assertion or supposition. Example: "I thought I had seen him before, and sure enough, he turned out to be my cousin!".

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

Sure enough.

The New York Times

Sure enough, doves rool.

The New York Times

Sure enough, there was.

The New Yorker

Sure enough, Nadal lost.

The New York Times - Sports

Sure enough, he wobbled.

The New York Times

"Sure enough, it was.

The New Yorker

Sure enough, it did.

The New York Times - Magazine

And sure enough.

The New York Times

Sure enough, she did.

The New York Times - Sports

Sure enough, I did.

The Guardian - Lifestyle

Sure enough, he barked.

The New York Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Incorporate "sure enough" to add a touch of narrative flair and emphasize the accuracy of a previous assessment or statement.

Common error

While effective, overuse of "sure enough" can make your writing sound repetitive. Vary your phrasing with alternatives like "as expected" or "just as I thought" to maintain reader engagement.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "sure enough" functions as an adverbial phrase, modifying a verb or clause to express confirmation or the fulfillment of an expectation. As Ludwig AI suggests, it indicates that something happened as predicted or anticipated.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

100%

Less common in

Formal & Business

0%

Science

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "sure enough" is a versatile adverbial phrase used to express confirmation or fulfillment of an expectation. As Ludwig AI confirms, it's grammatically correct and quite common, particularly in journalistic and conversational contexts. While its informal tone may not suit all writing styles, varying your phrasing and avoiding overuse is key. Alternatives such as "as expected" or "indeed" can provide a more formal tone when needed. Given its prevalent usage and straightforward meaning, understanding how to effectively use "sure enough" can improve the impact and clarity of your writing.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

as expected

This alternative is less emphatic and more neutral in tone.

just as I thought

This alternative includes a personal perspective.

predictably

This alternative emphasizes the lack of surprise.

as anticipated

This alternative is more formal and implies prior planning.

it turned out

This alternative focuses on the outcome or result.

as it happened

This alternative emphasizes the sequence of events.

sure as shooting

This alternative is more informal and colloquial.

certainly

This alternative emphasizes the certainty of the event.

indeed

This alternative confirms a previous statement or belief.

in fact

This alternative introduces additional information that supports a previous statement.

FAQs

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

"Sure enough" is used to express that something happened as expected or predicted. For example, "I predicted it would rain, and "sure enough", it did."

What's the difference between "sure enough" and "certainly"?

"Certainly" emphasizes the certainty of something, while "sure enough" implies that something happened as anticipated. "Sure enough" often carries a sense of confirmation or mild surprise.

What can I say instead of "sure enough" to sound more formal?

For a more formal tone, you could use phrases like "as anticipated", "predictably", or "as expected".

Is it appropriate to use "sure enough" in academic writing?

While "sure enough" is grammatically correct, it might be considered too informal for strict academic writing. In such contexts, consider using more formal alternatives like "indeed" or "in fact" to maintain a professional tone.