sure of what

USAGE SUMMARY

'sure of what' is correct and usable in written English.
You could use it when asking someone to clarify something that was said or to further explain what they mean. For example, "You want to redecorate the house? I'm not sure of what you mean."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Formal & Business

Wiki

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

We're just not sure of what.

The New York Times - Sports

I am not sure of what.

The Guardian - Opinion

I was pretty sure of what I was doing.

The New Yorker

But he needed to be sure — sure of what?

The New Yorker

But they were not sure of what they needed.

The New York Times

It was accused of being sure of what it was against but less sure of what it was for.

Independent

And Sloan was sure of what he was seeing.

The New York Times - Sports

You get engaged when you're sure of what you want".

The New York Times - Magazine

They were both completely sure of what they looked like".

The New York Times - Magazine

It's a hybrid, but I'm not sure of what.

The New York Times - Books

I'm not really sure of what I want".

The New York Times - Magazine

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "sure of what" to express confidence or certainty regarding a specific matter. For instance, "Before investing, be sure of what your goals are."

Common error

Avoid using "sure of what" when a more direct statement of certainty is possible. For example, instead of saying "I'm sure of what I saw," it's clearer to say "I'm certain I saw it."

Linguistic Context

The phrase "sure of what" functions as a prepositional phrase that modifies a verb or adjective, indicating a state of certainty or confidence about a specific thing or action. It adds detail by specifying the object of one's certainty. Ludwig AI confirms its common and correct usage.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

50%

Science

20%

Wiki

15%

Less common in

Formal & Business

10%

Encyclopedias

3%

Social Media

2%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "sure of what" is a grammatically sound and commonly used prepositional phrase that expresses certainty or confidence about a particular thing or action. As verified by Ludwig AI, this expression is appropriate across a range of contexts, from news and media to scientific and formal business writing. When using "sure of what", it's important to ensure clarity and avoid unnecessary indirectness, opting for more direct statements when possible. Consider alternatives like "certain about what" or "confident in what" to achieve the desired nuance. Finally, remember to be specific about the object of your certainty to provide clear and effective communication.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

certain about what

Replaces "sure" with "certain", emphasizing a firm conviction.

confident in what

Substitutes "sure" with "confident", highlighting trust in one's judgment.

convinced of what

Uses "convinced" to suggest a state of being fully persuaded.

aware of what

Replaces "sure" with "aware", focusing on knowledge or consciousness of something.

knowledgeable about what

Emphasizes expertise or detailed understanding.

clear about what

Focuses on the lack of ambiguity or confusion.

informed of what

Indicates possession of the necessary information.

decided on what

Highlights a firm resolution or choice.

positive about what

Conveys optimism and assurance.

undecided about what

Indicates a lack of certainty or decision.

FAQs

How can I use "sure of what" in a sentence?

You can use "sure of what" to express a lack of doubt or uncertainty about something. For example, "Are you "certain of what" you're doing?" or "I want to be "positive of what" the test results will be before telling anyone."

What's the difference between "sure of what" and "sure about what"?

While both phrases convey certainty, "sure of what" often refers to specific knowledge or understanding, whereas "sure about what" can be used more broadly. For example, you might be "sure of what" the instructions say, but "sure about what" your overall goals are.

What can I say instead of "sure of what"?

You can use alternatives like "certain about what", "confident in what", or "convinced of what" depending on the context.

Is it always necessary to use "sure of what"?

No, sometimes a more direct statement of certainty is preferable. For example, instead of "I am sure of what I need", you could say "I know what I need" to be more concise.