they are certain

USAGE SUMMARY

"they are certain" is correct and can be used in written English.
You can use it when you need to express certainty about a situation or event. For example, "They are certain that the experiment will be a success."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Formal & Business

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

But they are certain of one thing.

The New York Times - Sports

But they are certain of some things.

The Washington Post

Otherwise, they are certain to mislead.

Harvard Business Review

They are certain their nighttime stakeouts made a difference.

The New York Times

They are certain that employers favor younger workers.

The New York Times

But they are certain to be far-reaching and serious.

The Guardian

They are certain their voice will not be heard.

The Guardian - Opinion

They are certain to focus on Rice, putting pressure on Flacco to perform.

The New York Times - Sports

They are certain to push for a congressional inquiry into the Petrobras scandal.

The Economist

Ask your friends if they are certain their children will live here.

The New Yorker

Extremists are happy, Mr Brooks reckons, because they are certain they are right.

The Economist

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

To strengthen the statement, follow "they are certain" with a 'that' clause, specifying what they are certain about: 'They are certain that the results are accurate'.

Common error

Avoid using "they are certain" when expressing subjective opinions or beliefs that cannot be definitively proven. Instead, use phrases like "they believe" or "they think".

Linguistic Context

The phrase "they are certain" functions as a statement of conviction or assurance. It indicates a strong belief held by a group, as demonstrated by the numerous examples provided by Ludwig.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

67%

Science

17%

Formal & Business

8%

Less common in

Academia

3%

Wiki

3%

Reference

2%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "they are certain" is a grammatically correct and frequently used phrase to express a strong belief or conviction held by a group. Ludwig AI confirms that the phrase is suitable for written English. Predominantly found in news and media sources, it serves to communicate assurance and confidence. When using this phrase, ensure clarity in identifying who "they" refers to and avoid using it for purely subjective opinions. Consider alternatives like "they are sure" or "they are convinced" for slight variations in meaning.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

they are absolutely sure

Adds the adverb "absolutely" to reinforce the level of certainty.

they are sure

Uses a different adjective ("sure" instead of "certain") to express a high degree of confidence.

they know for sure

Expresses certainty with an emphasis on knowing the truth.

they are convinced

Replaces "certain" with "convinced", indicating a strong belief based on evidence or argument.

they are positive

Uses "positive" instead of "certain" to show confidence.

they have no doubt

Expresses certainty by negating doubt, implying complete assurance.

they are confident

Uses "confident" to convey a feeling of assurance.

they firmly believe

Emphasizes the strength of their belief, suggesting a deep conviction.

they are persuaded

Indicates that they have been convinced by evidence or reasoning.

they are definite

Uses "definite" instead of "certain" to communicate a clear and firm conviction.

FAQs

How can I use "they are certain" in a sentence?

Use "they are certain" to express a group's strong belief or conviction about something. For example, "They are certain that the new policy will improve efficiency."

What phrases are similar to "they are certain"?

You can use phrases like "they are sure", "they are convinced", or "they have no doubt" to convey a similar meaning.

Is it grammatically correct to say "they are certain"?

Yes, "they are certain" is grammatically correct. It uses the pronoun "they", the verb "are", and the adjective "certain" in a standard sentence structure.

What's the difference between "they are certain" and "they are sure"?

While both phrases express confidence, "they are certain" implies a slightly stronger level of conviction than "they are sure". "Certain" suggests a more definitive assurance.