truly certain

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "truly certain" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used when expressing a strong conviction or assurance about something. Example: "After reviewing all the evidence, I am truly certain that we made the right decision."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Wiki

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

6 human-written examples

Orbital mechanics is one of the rare sciences that offers truly certain predictions.

The Economist

4c1f8b9e-b4a9-4191-8f54-e03130f305b2 Orbital mechanics is one of the rare sciences that offers truly certain predictions.

The Economist

Now, anyone who has ever been lucky enough to see Blades of Glory may find figure skating hard to take seriously – and, truly, certain contestants in the recent Winter Olympics did their best to ensure this continues.

The Guardian - Opinion

We may be able to hazard an educated guess at the impact of fees on participation, but unless the government decides to conduct a randomized control trial or experiment of some sort, we will never be truly certain of the impact of tuition fees on higher education participation.

The Guardian

This one is just a test flight, so no one — even Musk himself — is truly certain how it'll go.

TechCrunch

Environmentalists and Interior Department scientists eventually concluded that the only truly certain way to eliminate the pollution was to shut down its source, by removing as much as two-thirds of Westlands' 600,000 acres from cultivation.

Los Angeles Times

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

51 human-written examples

This was one of those contests that truly inspired certain readers, by which we mean that once they started, they couldn't stop.

The New Yorker

Also, Respect their right to truly dislike certain foods and don't push those.

Huffington Post

I winced slightly as I cut could I truly be certain that she felt no pain?

Huffington Post

In between those two convictions, however, Mr. Cianci did something truly remarkable, something certain to outlast him.

The New York Times

No one will ever truly know for certain, but Castagnola's neighbours had complained about the chimney problems earlier in the month.

The Guardian - Sport

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Consider the formality of your context. While "truly certain" is generally appropriate, in extremely formal contexts, alternatives like "absolutely certain" might be preferred.

Common error

Avoid using "truly certain" in casual conversations where a simpler expression of agreement or understanding would suffice. Overusing the phrase can make your speech sound overly formal or pretentious.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "truly certain" functions as an intensifier (truly) modifying an adjective (certain). It denotes a state of being genuinely and completely sure about something. Ludwig AI confirms that it's correct and usable in written English.

Expression frequency: Uncommon

Frequent in

News & Media

43%

Science

37%

Wiki

20%

Less common in

Formal & Business

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Social Media

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "truly certain" serves to express genuine and complete assurance. Ludwig AI confirms its correct usage in English. While grammatically sound, its frequency is uncommon, most often appearing in News & Media and Science contexts. Related phrases include "absolutely sure" and "completely confident". When utilizing "truly certain", consider your audience and context. Overuse in informal settings can appear unnatural, while judicious use in professional or academic writing reinforces conviction.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

absolutely sure

Expresses complete confidence, similar to "truly certain" but with a stronger emphasis on the feeling of sureness.

completely confident

Focuses on the feeling of confidence, providing a slightly different angle on the certainty being expressed.

entirely convinced

Highlights the state of being persuaded, rather than just being certain, which may imply prior doubt.

genuinely convinced

Emphasizes the sincerity of the conviction, adding an element of honesty and lack of pretense.

undeniably sure

Implies that the certainty is impossible to dispute, making it a stronger declaration than "truly certain".

positively certain

Adds a tone of affirmation and removes every shade of doubt.

categorically certain

Categorically implies that there are no exceptions and that the claim is certain in every instance.

unquestionably certain

Indicates that the certainty is beyond any doubt or question, reinforcing the strength of the conviction.

without a doubt

Expresses a lack of hesitation or uncertainty, conveying a similar level of confidence to "truly certain".

definitely sure

Offers a slightly less formal way of expressing certainty, suitable for casual conversations.

FAQs

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

You can use "truly certain" to express a strong conviction or assurance about something. For example, "After reviewing all the evidence, I am "truly certain" that we made the right decision."

What phrases are similar to "truly certain"?

Alternatives include "absolutely sure", "completely confident", or "entirely convinced". The best choice depends on the specific nuance you want to convey.

Is "truly certain" more formal than "really sure"?

Yes, "truly certain" generally carries a more formal and emphatic tone than "really sure". "Really sure" is more appropriate for casual conversation, while "truly certain" suggests a more considered and resolute conviction.

When should I avoid using "truly certain"?

While grammatically correct, avoid overusing "truly certain" in very informal contexts. Simpler phrases may sound more natural. Also, ensure that the context warrants the level of certainty you are expressing.