that can certainly

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "that can certainly" is correct and usable in written English.
You can use it to express a strong belief or assurance about something being possible or true. Example: "This method of teaching is effective, and that can certainly be seen in the students' improved test scores."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Academia

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

And it's a question that can certainly be asked of this year's winner.

Independent

It is a very flexible genre that can certainly accommodate the modernising of the world".

The Guardian - Books

"Being associated with terrorism is something that can certainly grab the public's attention," Mr. Nelson said.

The New York Times

"Even though we have that friendship, if it makes sense then it's a fight that can certainly happen between us.

Independent

One thing that can certainly be said about Thursday's live episode of "30 Rock" is that it occurred.

The New York Times

There are teams in the East that can certainly compete against anyone in the West besides Shaq.

The New York Times - Sports

"Hopefully," Summitt said, "by March we will be a team that can certainly make a run for the national championship.

The New York Times - Sports

Swimming the Channel is not about being fast and smooth and beautiful as a swimmer, although that can certainly help.

The Guardian - Lifestyle

"Almost always, they come from a clot in the leg that travels up to the lungs, and there is treatment that can certainly be very successful," Thomashow said.

The New York Times - Sports

"If, in these negotiations, he has a major accomplishment that's noticed by the public, that can certainly be important for him".

The New York Times

"They're the same sort of developmental challenges that adolescents have grappled with for decades, though now they're taking place in different spaces that can certainly amplify them and shift their quality, quantity, and scale.

Harvard University

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When aiming for conciseness, consider alternatives like "definitely" or "surely," but retain "that can certainly" for emphasis.

Common error

While grammatically correct, excessive use of "that can certainly" can sound overly formal or stiff in casual conversation. Opt for simpler alternatives like "definitely" or "sure" to maintain a natural tone.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "that can certainly" functions as a modal phrase, adding emphasis and assurance to a statement of possibility or capability. Ludwig AI indicates its correctness and usability, supported by numerous examples.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

61%

Science

29%

Academia

6%

Less common in

Encyclopedias

2%

Wiki

1%

Formal & Business

1%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "that can certainly" is a versatile phrase used to express a strong degree of confidence or assurance about a possibility or capability. As Ludwig AI confirms, it's grammatically correct and widely used, particularly in news, scientific, and academic contexts. While generally neutral in tone, it is important to avoid overuse in overly informal settings where simpler alternatives might be more appropriate. Remember to use it when you want to reinforce the plausibility or capability of something with confidence.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

that definitely can

Emphasizes the definiteness of the possibility, slightly stronger than "that can certainly".

that surely can

Indicates a high degree of confidence in the possibility.

that absolutely can

Highlights the unreserved possibility, adding emphasis.

that is certainly able to

Rephrases the phrase using "able to" to express capability with certainty.

that undoubtedly can

Conveys that there is no doubt about the possibility.

that without a doubt can

Expresses the possibility with complete certainty.

that most assuredly can

Emphasizes the assurance of the possibility.

that unquestionably can

Indicates that the possibility is beyond question.

that positively can

Shows a positive affirmation of the possibility.

that veritably can

Conveys that the possibility is true and accurate.

FAQs

How can I use "that can certainly" in a sentence?

Use "that can certainly" to express a strong belief or assurance about something being possible or true. For example, "Practicing regularly "that can certainly" improve your skills."

What are some alternatives to "that can certainly"?

You can use alternatives like "that definitely can", "that surely can", or "that absolutely can" depending on the context.

Is "that can certainly" formal or informal?

"That can certainly" is generally considered neutral in tone, suitable for both formal and informal contexts, but it may sound slightly more formal than alternatives like "definitely" or "surely".

What is the difference between "that can certainly" and "that is certainly"?

"That can certainly" implies possibility with a strong degree of confidence, while "that is certainly" indicates a statement of fact with assurance. The subtle difference lies in whether you're emphasizing potential or certainty.