utterly sure

USAGE SUMMARY

"utterly sure" is correct and usable in written English.
It is used to emphasize that someone is completely or extremely sure about something. Example: "I am utterly sure that I turned off the lights before leaving the house this morning."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

16 human-written examples

"She was poised and elegant, charming but forceful — and utterly sure of herself".

The New York Times

Talking to The Observer,he is utterly sure that the transport link will be ready.

The Guardian

But it is fascinating that even at this early stage of her career, Bausch's hand was an utterly sure one.

The New York Times - Arts

His music somehow instills a sense of knowing all, each listener utterly sure of his or her response.

The New Yorker

The action is in direct contrast to the lush, glowing song and it is an utterly sure coup de théâtre.

The New York Times - Arts

He was utterly sure of himself, there was no room for doubt: what he was saying was right.

The New Yorker

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

44 human-written examples

But more often they reinforce each other's introspection, turning thoughts of mortality into power pop or facing down loneliness with tentative voices but utterly sure-footed buildups.

The New York Times - Arts

LD: "Mommy, what would your heaven look like?" Crying silently behind him, I gave him an answer, for once utterly and absolutely sure of its truth.

Huffington Post

Haydn Gwynne's delivery, a caressing foghorn, makes it a Send in the Clowns moment: utterly arresting, and sure to be reinterpreted again and again.

The Guardian

Combined they would make a locker service utterly worthless, for sure nothing that a music fan would pay for making it impossible for the company to cover the demanded per user fees.

TechCrunch

Poetry and profundity, to be sure, and utterly doomed.

The New Yorker

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "utterly sure" to express a strong sense of certainty, especially when you want to emphasize that there is no room for doubt. This phrase adds weight to your statement.

Common error

While "utterly sure" is acceptable, avoid overusing it in very informal settings. In casual conversation, simpler phrases like "really sure" or "completely sure" might be more appropriate.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "utterly sure" functions as an intensifier modifying an adjective. "Utterly" strengthens the degree of certainty expressed by "sure." As noted by Ludwig, the phrase is considered grammatically correct for usage in written English.

Expression frequency: Common

Frequent in

News & Media

94%

Formal & Business

3%

Science

3%

Less common in

Wiki

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "utterly sure" is used to express a strong sense of certainty and conviction. It is considered grammatically correct and finds frequent usage in news and media, although it's acceptability scales to formal and professional purposes. Ludwig AI confirms its grammatical validity. While it conveys a powerful message, it's important to be mindful of the context and avoid overuse in informal settings, where simpler alternatives may be more suitable. Related phrases include "completely certain" and "absolutely certain". The phrase serves to intensify claims, adding weight to the expression of confidence.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

completely certain

Replaces "utterly" with "completely" and "sure" with "certain", both synonyms that express a high degree of confidence.

absolutely certain

Replaces "utterly" with "absolutely", emphasizing the lack of any doubt, and "sure" with "certain".

entirely confident

Substitutes "utterly sure" with "entirely confident", focusing on the feeling of assurance rather than just certainty.

totally convinced

Emphasizes the complete nature of the conviction, using "totally" instead of "utterly" and replacing "sure" with "convinced".

perfectly confident

Replaces "utterly" with "perfectly", indicating a flawless sense of confidence, and maintains a focus on assurance.

unquestionably certain

Introduces a stronger emphasis on the lack of doubt by using "unquestionably" instead of "utterly".

firmly convinced

Focuses on the steadfastness of the belief, using "firmly" to highlight the strength of the conviction.

absolutely positive

Replaces "sure" with "positive", reinforcing the affirmative nature of the conviction and "utterly" with "absolutely".

without a doubt

Expresses certainty by indicating the absence of any doubt, differing structurally from the original phrase.

beyond any doubt

Similar to "without a doubt", but emphasizes that the certainty exceeds any possible doubt.

FAQs

How can I use "utterly sure" in a sentence?

You can use "utterly sure" to emphasize your confidence in a statement, such as "I am utterly sure that I locked the door" or "She seemed utterly sure of her facts during the presentation".

What phrases are similar to "utterly sure"?

Alternatives include "completely certain", "absolutely certain", or "totally convinced", which all convey a high degree of confidence.

Is it more correct to say "utterly sure" or "completely sure"?

Both "utterly sure" and "completely sure" are correct, but "utterly sure" carries a slightly stronger emphasis. The choice depends on the desired level of emphasis.

What's the difference between "utterly sure" and "utterly confident"?

"Utterly sure" emphasizes the certainty of a fact or belief, while "utterly confident" focuses on the feeling of assurance and self-belief. The nuance depends on whether you're highlighting a factual conviction or a personal sense of confidence.