though not certain

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "though not certain" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to express doubt or uncertainty about a statement or situation. Example: "The results of the experiment were promising, though not certain, indicating that further research is needed."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Wiki

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

15 human-written examples

It's likely, though not certain, that the loser of that game, won't make it through to the semi-finals.

The Guardian - Sport

Mr Zuma, formerly the party's deputy leader, is now in prime position (though not certain) to succeed Mr Mbeki as the country's next president.

The Economist

It seems fair to say, then, that a lead of a few percentage points in September can predict a likely — though not certain — November victory.

The New Yorker

Officials said it was likely, though not certain, that the virus would return this year, after killing 7 people and infecting 52 in the region last year.

The New York Times

But the timing of the fifth circuit's ruling makes it likely, though not certain, that the supreme court will hear the case this term.

The Guardian - Opinion

The rebuff makes it likely, though not certain, that the General Accounting Office, an investigative arm of Congress, will sue the White House to force it to surrender documents first requested in April.

The New York Times

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

40 human-written examples

Saying 'Obamacare polls badly' or 'the individual provisions of the ACA other than the individual mandate poll well' isn't the same as saying 'Obamacare is unpopular' or 'the Obamacare subsidies and Medicaid expansion are popular.' It's likely, though still not certain, that most people just don't have opinions about either the program or its various parts.

Huffington Post

Sadly, though, I'm not certain the Fenix will be able to tell Replicant from human, a major feature that Garmin should add in upcoming versions.

TechCrunch

The chances that they will meet in the Breeders' Cup Distaff, though, were not certain.

The New York Times - Sports

Though we are not certain how Ponkin intends to target people who have committed suicide, he certainly seems determined.

The Guardian - Music

He is about 40, even though he is not certain of his birth date, and has a youthful face.

The New York Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "though not certain" to introduce a degree of uncertainty or possibility, softening a statement that might otherwise seem overly assertive. This adds nuance and credibility to your writing.

Common error

Avoid using "though not certain" as a mere filler phrase. Ensure it genuinely reflects a level of uncertainty or open possibility in your statement. If there's no real doubt, a more direct expression may be more appropriate.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "though not certain" functions as a concessive conjunction, introducing an element of uncertainty or qualification to a preceding statement. As Ludwig AI suggests, it conveys that while something is probable or expected, it is not guaranteed.

Expression frequency: Common

Frequent in

News & Media

43%

Science

33%

Wiki

14%

Less common in

Formal & Business

0%

Encyclopedias

2%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "though not certain" is a commonly used phrase to introduce uncertainty or qualification into a statement. As Ludwig AI confirms, the phrase is grammatically correct and appears across various contexts, including News & Media, Science, and general writing. It functions as a concessive conjunction and serves to temper expectations by acknowledging a possibility without guaranteeing an outcome. While alternative phrases like "although uncertain" or "even if not sure" exist, "though not certain" provides a balanced and nuanced way to express tentativeness. Be mindful to use it when genuine uncertainty exists to maintain credibility and avoid overuse.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

although uncertain

Replaces "though" with "although", maintaining the same concessive meaning.

even if not sure

Uses "even if" to express a condition, highlighting the possibility of uncertainty.

while not guaranteed

Focuses on the lack of guarantee, emphasizing the potential for a different outcome.

albeit not definite

Uses "albeit" to introduce a qualification, suggesting a lack of definiteness.

not entirely sure

Emphasizes the degree of uncertainty, suggesting a partial lack of sureness.

possibly but not surely

Highlights the possibility while explicitly denying certainty.

conceivably, yet not certainly

Introduces a sense of possibility while maintaining the lack of assurance.

perhaps, though unconfirmed

Expresses a possibility tempered by the lack of confirmation.

it's not a given

Implies that something cannot be taken for granted.

subject to change

Indicates that something is not fixed and may be altered.

FAQs

How can I use "though not certain" in a sentence?

Use "though not certain" to qualify a statement, indicating that something is likely but not guaranteed. For example, "The project is expected to be completed on time, "though not certain".".

What are some alternatives to saying "though not certain"?

You can use phrases like "although uncertain", "even if not sure", or "while not guaranteed" to express a similar meaning.

Is it redundant to use "though not certain" after a word like 'likely'?

While it might seem slightly redundant, using "though not certain" after 'likely' can emphasize the degree of uncertainty. It clarifies that even with a good chance of something happening, it's still not a sure thing.

What's the difference between "though not certain" and "not necessarily"?

"Though not certain" implies a possibility but not a guarantee, while "not necessarily" means something is not always the case or required. The former suggests a lack of complete assurance, while the latter denies a strict connection.