totally certain

USAGE SUMMARY

"totally certain" is a correct and usable phrase in written English.
It can be used to indicate a high level of confidence or assurance about something. Example: After thorough investigation, we are totally certain that the suspect is guilty of the crime.

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Academia

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

22 human-written examples

No one was totally certain.

The New York Times

Hey, I'm not totally certain of anything!

The New York Times

When unraveled, she sounded totally certain.

The New York Times - Arts

Am I totally certain that the problem isn't structural?

The New York Times

You are in the living present with a not totally certain future.

The New York Times

They stood in a wide stance, feet far apart, sturdy, showing off the volume of their dresses, looking totally certain and immune to the vagaries of fashion.

The New York Times

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

38 human-written examples

For reasons that are totally mysterious, certain scattered lineages exhibit a total lack of operon organization for aromatic-pathway genes (and indeed for most other biosynthetic pathways, such as that for histidine biosynthesis).

BMC Biology

The pitch of the acting was always full tilt, campy without totally abandoning certain emotional undercurrents.

The Guardian - TV & Radio

Totally ignoring certain positive cultural norms, therefore, may be tantamount to 'throwing the baby out with the bath water'.

BMC International Health and Human Rights

"I wanted to write a book that would rescue a certain totally neglected tradition in philosophy, which is the pursuit of wisdom," he said.

The New York Times - Books

The Socialist Bruno le Roux told parliament: "I think French people are ready for a certain, totally relative restriction of liberties, that is controlled and limited to a specific timeframe".

The Guardian

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Avoid redundancy by ensuring the subject expressing certainty is clearly defined. For example, "I am totally certain" is stronger than "It is totally certain."

Common error

Avoid using "totally certain" when a degree of uncertainty exists. Instead, opt for phrases like "reasonably sure" or "fairly confident" to reflect a more nuanced perspective.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "totally certain" functions as an intensifier modifying an adjective. Ludwig AI confirms that it strengthens the adjective "certain," indicating a high degree of confidence or assurance. It highlights the speaker's lack of doubt.

Expression frequency: Uncommon

Frequent in

News & Media

50%

Science

30%

Academia

10%

Less common in

Encyclopedias

0%

Wiki

0%

Formal & Business

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "totally certain" is a grammatically sound phrase used to express a high degree of confidence. Ludwig AI confirms its correct usage in various contexts. Although not the most frequent expression, it appears commonly in News & Media and Scientific domains. When writing, be mindful of overstating certainty where nuance is required. Alternatives such as ""absolutely sure"" or ""completely confident"" can provide varied shades of meaning. While generally neutral in register, context dictates its appropriateness. As such, understanding the nuances of its application ensures effective communication.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

absolutely sure

Replaces "totally" with "absolutely" to intensify the certainty, offering a more emphatic tone.

completely confident

Substitutes "certain" with "confident", focusing on the feeling of assurance rather than factual certainty.

entirely convinced

Uses "convinced" instead of "certain", highlighting the state of having been persuaded fully.

unequivocally sure

Emphasizes the lack of doubt with "unequivocally", making the statement of certainty more forceful.

without a doubt

Expresses certainty by stating the absence of doubt, providing a slightly more informal tone.

fully assured

Replaces "certain" with "assured", shifting the focus to a state of being guaranteed or promised.

positive without question

Offers a more conversational way of expressing certainty, emphasizing that there's no room for questioning.

categorically certain

Uses "categorically" to stress that the certainty is without exceptions or conditions.

definitely certain

Adds the adverb "definitely" to reinforce the certainty, though it can be seen as slightly redundant.

firmly believe

Shifts from stating certainty to expressing a strong belief, which can sometimes imply a degree of subjectivity.

FAQs

What does "totally certain" mean?

The phrase "totally certain" means being completely sure or having no doubt about something. It indicates a high degree of confidence in the truth or accuracy of a statement or belief.

How can I use "totally certain" in a sentence?

You can use "totally certain" to express your complete confidence about something, for example: "I am "absolutely sure" that I locked the door" or "The scientist is "completely confident" in their findings".

What are some alternatives to "totally certain"?

You can use alternatives like ""absolutely sure"", ""completely confident"", or "entirely convinced" depending on the context and the nuance you want to convey.

Is it better to say "absolutely certain" or "totally certain"?

Both "absolutely certain" and "totally certain" are acceptable, but "absolutely certain" might be perceived as slightly more formal and emphatic. The choice depends on the context and personal preference.