surely sure

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "surely sure" is not standard in written English and may sound redundant.
It could be used informally to emphasize certainty, but it is not commonly accepted in formal writing. Example: "I am surely sure that we will win the game this time."

⚠ May contain grammatical issues

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

60 human-written examples

A television monitor, for the fourth official, would surely make sure this does not happen again.

The Guardian - Sport

Surely – surely!

Independent

Now surely, surely.

The New Yorker

Surely surely surely.

HuffPost

Another expressed his relief at being Chilean, blessed with a government that, he felt sure, would surely look after its citizens' well-being.

The New Yorker

I'm never quite sure why: surely we've moved beyond the idea that only Really Good Drawing is allowed to be art, haven't we?

The Guardian - TV & Radio

E-mail address GO SIGN UP Share Tweet Another expressed his relief at being Chilean, blessed with a government that, he felt sure, would surely look after its citizens' well-being.

The New Yorker

"Drive slow, think different, do right, hang tough". Don't let this dual use get you down; the flat adverb is one of English's little confusions, and it sure (or surely -- pick 'em) doesn't worry usagists.

The New York Times - Magazine

Only that which is breakable has been broken.Another expressed his relief at being Chilean, blessed with a government that, he felt sure, would surely look after its citizens' well-being.

The New Yorker

It is always a little nerdy, sure, but surely all professional business conferences are.

Forbes

Some temporary secrecy is surely warranted — to make sure that suspects are not tipped off, that evidence is not destroyed and that investigations are not disrupted.

The New York Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

While "surely sure" might be used informally for emphasis, it's advisable to opt for more standard alternatives like "certainly certain" or "absolutely sure" in formal writing to maintain clarity and credibility.

Common error

Avoid using "surely sure" in professional or academic contexts; its repetitive nature can make your writing appear less polished. Choose concise and well-established phrases to convey confidence and certainty.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "surely sure" functions as an intensifier, aiming to emphasize a state of certainty or confidence. However, due to its non-standard usage, it does not carry the same weight as more established phrases. Ludwig indicates that while "surely" and "sure" appear in various contexts, their combination is rare.

Expression frequency: Missing

Frequent in

Science

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News & Media

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Formal & Business

0%

Less common in

Science

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News & Media

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Formal & Business

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Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "surely sure" is an attempt to emphasize certainty, but it falls short due to its non-standard nature. While both "surely" and "sure" are common in various contexts, combining them in this way creates redundancy. Ludwig suggests that more established alternatives like "absolutely certain" or "undoubtedly sure" are preferable in formal settings. As the Ludwig AI analysis indicates, "surely sure" lacks widespread acceptance, making it a less effective choice for clear and professional communication. It may be acceptable in informal conversation for emphasis, but writers should exercise caution and consider the tone and audience.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

certainly certain

Emphasizes certainty through repetition, similar to "surely sure", but with a more established usage.

absolutely certain

Highlights complete certainty, differing from the somewhat informal tone of "surely sure".

undoubtedly sure

Conveys assurance by negating doubt, providing a more formal alternative to "surely sure".

definitely certain

Combines definiteness with certainty, differing slightly in emphasis from "surely sure".

assuredly confident

Expresses confidence with a sense of assurance, presenting a more sophisticated tone than "surely sure".

without a doubt

Indicates certainty by eliminating any possibility of doubt, a more common idiom compared to "surely sure".

beyond any question

Suggests certainty by surpassing any grounds for questioning, a more emphatic version.

positively certain

Stresses certainty in an affirmative manner, offering a more direct alternative.

completely sure

Highlights the completeness of one's certainty, diverging from the iterative nature of "surely sure".

decidedly certain

Implies certainty with a sense of decisiveness, differing slightly in connotation.

FAQs

How can I express strong certainty in a more standard way than "surely sure"?

You can use alternatives like "absolutely certain", "undoubtedly sure", or "definitely certain" to convey a similar level of assurance without sounding redundant.

Is "surely sure" grammatically correct?

While not strictly ungrammatical, "surely sure" is considered non-standard due to its repetitive nature and lack of established usage in formal writing. Standard alternatives are preferable for clarity and professionalism.

In what situations might "surely sure" be appropriate?

"Surely sure" might be acceptable in informal conversation or creative writing where emphasis is desired, but it should be avoided in formal contexts. Always consider your audience and the tone of your writing.

What's the difference between "surely sure" and "certainly certain"?

"Surely sure" is a non-standard, somewhat redundant expression of certainty. "Certainly certain" while repetitive, is a more established phrase and thus more accepted in general usage.