sure to impress

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "sure to impress" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used when describing something that is expected to leave a positive impact or strong impression on someone. Example: "This presentation is sure to impress the clients with its innovative ideas and professional delivery."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Wiki

Huffington Post

TechCrunch

The Guardian

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

41 human-written examples

Quick and simple to make, this no-bake healthy vegan cheesecake is sure to impress.

The Guardian - Lifestyle

I kept friends and family unaware with elaborate excuses, only showing up when I was sure to impress.

The New York Times

It's sure to impress all park visitors but never really commit, and to leave right when you think everything is going great.

The New Yorker

|  Christie's two-day House Sale (April 4-5) of mid-range objects for the home includes everything from paintings and marble fireplaces to a pair of ten-foot-tall bronze gates that are sure to impress the Joneses.

The New Yorker

Mr. Sharon's brinkmanship was sure to impress Israelis as brave, political analysts said, but it also threatened to leave his government with barely enough certain votes in the Parliament to stave off new elections.

The New York Times

What to do Even if you're not into fashion, the collection of paintings, sculptures, ceramics and silver on display at the château-like Bowes Museum is sure to impress (thebowesmuseum.org.uk).uk

The Guardian - Travel

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

18 human-written examples

The young pilot said a fly-in dinner date is a sure way to impress a girlfriend -- and discover if she shares a passion for flying.

The New York Times

Despite the occasional noise at this busy hot spot, it is a sure place to impress clients.

Forbes

So let your parent handle dinner, and go on drink duty (while listening to some holiday jams to get in the mood!) with one of these sure-to-impress but deceptively easy recipes.

Huffington Post

However, it's the computational heft beneath the glossy exterior that is sure to most impress.

The Guardian - Tech

nytimes.com/world TV DECODER: MTV DUBS 'GENERATION P' Brian Stelter blogs on television "upfront" presentations, saying that MTV Networks sure knows how to impress advertisers.

The New York Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "sure to impress" when you want to convey a high degree of confidence that something will create a positive and memorable impact. Ensure the context supports this level of assurance.

Common error

Avoid using "sure to impress" when the outcome is uncertain or dependent on subjective preferences. A more cautious phrase like "likely to impress" might be more appropriate.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "sure to impress" functions as an adjective phrase that modifies a noun or pronoun, indicating a high probability of making a positive impact or creating a favorable impression. Ludwig's analysis and examples confirm its prevalent use in descriptive contexts.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

60%

Wiki

15%

Huffington Post

10%

Less common in

TechCrunch

5%

The Guardian

5%

Forbes

2%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "sure to impress" is a common and grammatically correct expression used to convey a high degree of confidence that something will create a positive impact. As indicated by Ludwig, it functions as an adjective phrase and finds frequent usage in contexts such as news, media and general descriptive writing. While versatile, be mindful of avoiding overstatement by ensuring the context aligns with the level of certainty implied. Consider alternatives such as "likely to impress" when a more cautious approach is needed.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

certain to impress

Replaces "sure" with "certain", emphasizing confidence in the positive outcome.

guaranteed to impress

Substitutes "sure" with "guaranteed", suggesting a stronger assurance of a positive impression.

bound to impress

Uses "bound" instead of "sure", implying an inevitable positive impact.

likely to impress

Replaces "sure" with "likely", indicating a high probability but not a certainty.

poised to impress

Implies readiness and anticipation of making a positive impression.

destined to impress

Suggests that the positive impression is predetermined or inevitable.

set to impress

Indicates preparation and intention to make a positive impact.

designed to impress

Highlights the intentional effort to create a positive impression.

calculated to impress

Suggests a deliberate strategy to make a positive impact.

certain to wow

Replaces "impress" with "wow", emphasizing a strong and immediate positive reaction.

FAQs

What does "sure to impress" mean?

The phrase "sure to impress" means that something is highly likely to create a positive and memorable impact on someone.

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

You can use "sure to impress" to describe a quality, feature, or action that is expected to create a favorable impression. For example: "This presentation is "sure to impress" the clients."

What are some alternatives to "sure to impress"?

Alternatives include phrases like "certain to impress", "guaranteed to impress", or "bound to impress", depending on the desired level of certainty and emphasis.

When is it appropriate to use "sure to impress"?

Use "sure to impress" when you are confident that something will create a positive impression due to its quality, design, or impact. It's suitable for describing experiences, products, or performances that are expected to be well-received.