this was certainly

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "this was certainly" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to express a strong affirmation or certainty about a past event or situation. Example: "After reviewing the evidence, I can confidently say that this was certainly the best decision we made."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Formal & Business

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

This was certainly likely.

The Economist

This was certainly possible.

The Guardian

This was certainly strange.

The Guardian

This was certainly More's intention.

Stanford University

This was certainly Price's sense.

The New Yorker

This was certainly not a Harvey game.

The New York Times - Sports

This was certainly my experience in college!

The New York Times

This was certainly not the case.

Independent

"This was certainly one of those".

The New York Times - Arts

This was certainly true in Spain.

Independent

This was certainly not in my plan.

Harvard Business Review

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "this was certainly" to confidently affirm a statement based on prior evidence or context. Ensure the assertion is well-supported to avoid sounding presumptuous.

Common error

While useful for emphasis, avoid starting multiple consecutive sentences with "this was certainly". Vary your sentence structure to maintain reader engagement and avoid monotony.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "this was certainly" functions as an emphatic affirmation, indicating a strong agreement or confirmation regarding a past event or situation. Ludwig AI confirms its correct usage across various contexts.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

63%

Science

19%

Formal & Business

5%

Less common in

Academia

5%

Encyclopedias

0%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "this was certainly" is a versatile phrase used to express a strong affirmation or confirmation. As highlighted by Ludwig AI, it's grammatically correct and frequently used in various contexts, particularly in news and media. While it can add emphasis, it's essential to avoid overuse for stylistic reasons. Consider alternatives like "this definitely was" or "this undoubtedly was" to add variety to your writing. Understanding the nuances of these similar phrases will enhance your ability to convey your intended meaning effectively.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

this definitely was

Swaps "certainly" with "definitely", which offers a slightly less formal tone.

this undoubtedly was

Replaces "certainly" with "undoubtedly", strengthening the sense of conviction.

this assuredly was

Uses "assuredly" instead of "certainly", conveying a more formal and confident tone.

this indeed was

Substitutes "certainly" with "indeed", providing a slightly more understated affirmation.

this without a doubt was

Expresses absolute certainty, adding emphasis by explicitly stating the absence of doubt.

this undeniably was

Replaces "certainly" with "undeniably", suggesting that the truth is self-evident.

this unquestionably was

Implies that the statement is beyond dispute or question.

this categorically was

Adds a sense of formality and finality, suggesting that the statement is absolute and without exception.

this absolutely was

Replaces "certainly" with "absolutely", emphasizing the completeness and totality of the statement.

there's no doubt this was

Shifts the focus to the lack of doubt, expressing a strong belief in the statement.

FAQs

How can I use "this was certainly" in a sentence?

You can use "this was certainly" to express a strong agreement or confirmation of a past event or situation. For example: "Given the evidence presented, "this was certainly" the best course of action."

What phrases are similar to "this was certainly"?

Similar phrases include "this definitely was", "this undoubtedly was", or "this indeed was". Each provides a slightly different nuance to the affirmation.

Is it better to say "this was certainly" or "this certainly was"?

"This was certainly" is generally preferred due to its more natural flow in English. "This certainly was" is grammatically correct but less common.

When is it appropriate to use "this was certainly" in writing?

It's appropriate to use "this was certainly" when you want to emphasize your conviction about something that has already happened or been established. Use it when you have strong evidence or reason to believe your assertion.