they were certain of

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "they were certain of" is correct and usable in written English.
You can use it when expressing confidence or assurance about a particular fact or situation. Example: "After reviewing all the evidence, they were certain of their conclusion."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

13 human-written examples

They were certain of victory.

The Economist

"They were certain of it".

The New York Times

As the jurors began to talk publicly about their verdict on Monday night, they said they were certain of it and unified.

The New York Times

Several jurors interviewed after the verdict said that they acquitted Mr. Lemus not because they were certain of his innocence, but because the conflicting evidence presented at the trial made them doubt his guilt.

The New York Times

To prove they were certain of their actions, after shooitng Marius in the head, zoo staff dissected him in front of a public crowd, including children, and fed him to the zoo's lions.

Independent

They were certain of one thing: they had enjoyed the heck out of one another's company since the days in the 1960's that they had played football and wore crew cuts at Sackets Harbor Central, the kindergarten-to-grade 12 school that still educates the children of this village of 1,383.

The New York Times - Sports

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

45 human-written examples

But they are certain of one thing.

The New York Times - Sports

It means that they are certain of at least a play-off for the bronze medal.

The Guardian - Sport

"But commercial departments are delighted, because they know they are certain of a capacity crowd for their home match, with all the benefits that will bring".

The New York Times - Sports

In general, accounting rules encourage companies not to report sales unless they are sure they can collect them, and to write off losses as soon as they are certain of them.

The New York Times

American officials say they are certain of the role of several Quds officers and that they cannot imagine anything this ambitious going forward without the direction of the chief of the Quds Force, Qassim Suleimani.

The New York Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "they were certain of" to express a high degree of confidence based on evidence or strong belief. Ensure that the context clearly indicates the basis for their certainty to avoid ambiguity.

Common error

Avoid using "they were certain of" when the situation involves speculation or future predictions, as this can convey an unwarranted level of confidence. It's better to use phrases that indicate probability or possibility if certainty is not justified.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "they were certain of" functions as an assertion of confidence or conviction. It indicates that a group of individuals holds a firm belief in something, based on evidence, experience, or intuition. Ludwig examples show its use in various contexts from news reporting to scientific analysis.

Expression frequency: Common

Frequent in

News & Media

45%

Science

20%

Formal & Business

15%

Less common in

Wiki

10%

Academia

5%

Reference

5%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "they were certain of" is a common and grammatically correct way to express a high degree of confidence or conviction. Ludwig shows that it's used across various contexts, particularly in news reporting and scientific writing. While it is generally acceptable across different registers, it's important to ensure that the context justifies the level of certainty being expressed. Alternatives like "they were sure of" or "they had no doubt about" can be used for similar effect. The AI confirms that the phrase is readily usable in English.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

they were sure of

This alternative uses "sure" instead of "certain", indicating a very high degree of confidence, almost interchangeable.

they had no doubt about

This phrase expresses confidence by negating doubt, suggesting a firm belief or conviction.

they were convinced of

Using "convinced" implies that they were persuaded or made to believe something strongly.

they felt confident about

This alternative highlights the feeling of assurance rather than a statement of fact.

they firmly believed in

This option emphasizes the strength of their belief and is typically used for principles or ideas.

they were positive about

Using "positive" suggests a strong affirmation and lack of uncertainty.

they were assured of

This indicates that they received a guarantee or confirmation, leading to their certainty.

they had complete faith in

This phrase expresses trust or reliance on someone or something.

they took it for granted that

This suggests that they assumed something to be true without questioning it.

they presupposed

Implies that something was assumed to be the case beforehand, affecting subsequent actions or beliefs.

FAQs

How can I rephrase "they were certain of" to sound more formal?

For a more formal tone, consider using phrases such as "they were convinced of" or "they had no doubt about". These alternatives maintain a sense of assurance while sounding more sophisticated.

Is there a subtle difference between "they were sure of" and "they were certain of"?

While both phrases convey a high degree of confidence, "certain" often implies a more reasoned or evidence-based assurance, while "sure" can suggest a more intuitive or personal conviction. However, in most contexts, "they are largely interchangeable".

When should I avoid using "they were certain of"?

Avoid using "they were certain of" when the situation involves speculation or when there is a lack of concrete evidence. In such cases, it's more appropriate to use phrases indicating probability or possibility, such as "they believed that" or "they suspected that".

What are some common synonyms for "they were certain of"?

Some common synonyms include "they were positive about", "they were convinced of", and "they had complete faith in". The best choice depends on the specific context and the nuance you want to convey.