sure to

USAGE SUMMARY

"sure to" is a perfectly acceptable phrase in written English.
You can use it to show that something is certain to happen or have an expected outcome. For example: "The team is sure to win the championship this year."

✓ Grammatically correct

Wiki

News & Media

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

Be sure to ask.

The New York Times - Health

Consolidation looks sure to continue.

The Economist

Disappointment is sure to come.

Forbes

Others are sure to follow.

Clinical interventions in aging

Make sure to blend.

WikiHow

Make sure to relax.

WikiHow

Be sure to supervise.

WikiHow

Make sure to improve.

WikiHow

Make sure to exhale.

WikiHow

Make sure to rest.

WikiHow

Be sure to bargain.

WikiHow

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "sure to" when you want to express a high degree of confidence about a future event or outcome. It conveys a sense of certainty without being overly formal.

Common error

While "sure to" is generally acceptable, avoid overusing it in highly formal or academic writing. Opt for alternatives like "certain to" or "guaranteed to" for a more polished tone.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "sure to" functions as a modal idiom expressing a high degree of certainty or expectation regarding a future event or outcome. As Ludwig AI confirms, its use is grammatically correct. Examples show it used across various contexts to indicate inevitability.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

Wiki

52%

News & Media

22%

Science

12%

Less common in

Formal & Business

12%

Encyclopedias

0%

Social Media

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "sure to" is a versatile phrase used to express a high degree of certainty about future events. As Ludwig AI confirms, it's grammatically correct and widely accepted. While commonly found in general and news contexts, it's crucial to consider the formality of your writing. For highly formal or academic pieces, opting for alternatives like "certain to" or "guaranteed to" will enhance the tone. Remember, effective communication lies in choosing the most appropriate phrase for the context to accurately convey your intended meaning.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

certain to

Replaces "sure" with its direct synonym, maintaining a formal tone and strong sense of inevitability.

bound to

Indicates a high probability or inevitability, but can sometimes imply a negative outcome.

guaranteed to

Suggests a more concrete assurance or promise than "sure to".

likely to

Indicates a strong possibility but is less definitive than "sure to".

destined to

Implies a predetermined outcome, often with a sense of fate or higher power.

expected to

Highlights an anticipated outcome based on current conditions or trends.

poised to

Suggests readiness for a particular outcome, often implying a proactive stance.

certainly will

Emphasizes the certainty of an action, separating the certainty from the infinitive.

will definitely

Highlights the certainty of a future event with the adverb "definitely".

can be expected to

More formal and passive, indicating an expectation based on established patterns.

FAQs

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

The phrase "sure to" is used to indicate a high degree of certainty about a future event or outcome. For example, "The new policy is "bound to" improve efficiency."

What are some alternatives to "sure to"?

Depending on the context, you can use alternatives such as "certain to", "bound to", or "likely to". The best choice depends on the specific nuance you wish to convey.

Is there a difference between "sure to" and "certain to"?

While both phrases express a high degree of confidence, "certain to" may be perceived as slightly more formal than "sure to". The choice often depends on the overall tone of your writing.

When is it not appropriate to use "sure to"?

Avoid using "sure to" in highly formal or technical contexts where a more precise or authoritative tone is required. In such cases, alternatives like "guaranteed to" or "expected to" might be more suitable.