sure he is

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "sure he is" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to express agreement or affirmation about someone's qualities or actions, often in a sarcastic or ironic context. Example: "He claims he's the best player on the team, but sure he is."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Wiki

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

58 human-written examples

"Sure he is," D'Angelo said.

The New Yorker

"I'm sure he is," Francoeur said.

The New York Times - Sports

"I'm not sure he is one".

The New York Times - Sports

Sure, he is getting publicity.

The New York Times

"I'm not sure he is.

The New York Times

I'm pretty sure he is smirking.

The New York Times - Travel

Be sure he is not alone.

The Guardian

I'm sure he is missing it.

The Guardian - Sport

Seracini is sure he is getting closer.

The New York Times - Magazine

I'm sure he is, you know.

The Guardian

"I am sure he is not going to walk away.

Independent

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "sure he is" to express agreement or affirmation, but be mindful of the context as it can sometimes imply sarcasm or doubt. If you intend genuine agreement, consider using a more direct and unambiguous phrase.

Common error

Avoid using "sure he is" when you want to express genuine agreement without any room for misinterpretation. Its potential for sarcasm can undermine your intended meaning.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "sure he is" primarily functions as an affirmative response, often carrying an implied tone of sarcasm or mild doubt. It is used to express agreement, but not always genuinely. Ludwig AI confirms its correct and usable status in written English.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

64%

Wiki

18%

Science

18%

Less common in

Formal & Business

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "sure he is" is a grammatically sound phrase commonly used to express agreement, albeit frequently tinged with skepticism or irony. As Ludwig AI indicates, the phrase is usable in written English, but careful consideration should be given to the context to avoid misinterpretation. While versatile, its neutral register suggests caution in strictly formal settings, and its usage is most prevalent in news, media, and general writing, as highlighted by the examples and sources analyzed. Use alternatives like "of course he is" or "absolutely he is" if you want to emphasize a positive tone.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

of course he is

Replaces "sure" with "of course", indicating a slightly stronger sense of obviousness or agreement.

certainly he is

Substitutes "sure" with "certainly", conveying a more formal tone and a higher degree of confidence.

absolutely he is

Emphasizes the affirmation with "absolutely", making the agreement more emphatic.

indeed he is

Replaces "sure" with "indeed", offering a more sophisticated and somewhat archaic tone.

no doubt he is

Indicates a lack of uncertainty, implying a strong belief in the statement's truth.

undoubtedly he is

Similar to "no doubt", but with an even stronger sense of certainty and conviction.

I'm positive he is

Introduces a personal perspective, indicating the speaker's strong belief.

I'm convinced he is

Similar to "I'm positive", but suggests the belief is based on some form of reasoning or evidence.

you bet he is

Offers a more informal and colloquial way of expressing strong agreement.

without a doubt he is

Conveys certainty and eliminates any possibility of questioning the statement.

FAQs

How can I use "sure he is" in a sentence?

You can use "sure he is" to express agreement or affirmation, often with a hint of sarcasm. For example: "He claims he's the best, "sure he is"."

What's a less sarcastic way to say "sure he is"?

If you want to avoid any hint of sarcasm, consider using alternatives like "of course he is", "certainly he is", or "absolutely he is".

Is it grammatically correct to say "sure he is"?

Yes, "sure he is" is grammatically correct and commonly used in spoken and written English, though its tone can sometimes be ambiguous.

What is the difference between "sure he is" and "I'm sure he is"?

"Sure he is" expresses agreement or affirmation, often with a hint of skepticism. "I'm sure he is" expresses a personal belief or confidence in something.