was a certainty

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "was a certainty" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to express that something was definitely true or guaranteed in the past. Example: "Despite the challenges we faced, success was a certainty if we worked together."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Sport

Business

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

55 human-written examples

A visit from Wells was a certainty.

The New Yorker

Such idleness invited diversion, of which gambling was a certainty.

The New York Times

But no one assumed Patten was a certainty.

The Guardian

Five diamonds was a certainty with good technique.

The New York Times - Arts

Some on the outer edges also entered last weekend believing that a campaign was a certainty.

The Washington Post

To Republicans, the eventual approval of Judge Gorsuch was a certainty.

The New York Times

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

5 human-written examples

This is a certainty".

The New York Times - Arts

It's a certainty".

The New York Times

Now it is a certainty.

The Guardian - Sport

Grammy nominations are a certainty.

The Guardian - Music

Warner is a certainty to be picked.

The Guardian - Sport

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "was a certainty" to express a strong belief that something would definitely happen in the past, providing a sense of inevitability or high probability.

Common error

Avoid using "was a certainty" when discussing events that only had a high probability but did not actually occur. Use it only when reflecting on past events where the outcome aligned with the initial high confidence.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "was a certainty" functions as a judgmental statement, expressing a strong belief or conviction about the inevitability of a past event. As seen in Ludwig, it conveys a sense of assurance.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

60%

Sport

20%

Business

10%

Less common in

Wiki

5%

Encyclopedias

3%

Science

2%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "was a certainty" is a common and grammatically correct expression used to convey a strong belief in the inevitability of a past event. As shown by Ludwig, its usage spans across various contexts, most frequently in News & Media and Sports. The analysis reveals it serves to express confidence and conviction. While it's important to avoid overuse in speculative scenarios, the phrase remains a powerful tool for reflecting on past events with a sense of assuredness.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

was assured

Indicates guaranteed outcome, emphasizing security and lack of doubt.

was guaranteed

Highlights the assurance and warranty of an event occurring without fail.

was inevitable

Focuses on the unavoidable nature of an event, suggesting no power could prevent it.

was a foregone conclusion

Emphasizes that the result was known or expected well in advance.

was bound to happen

Highlights the inevitability and predetermination of an event.

was a sure thing

Conveys high confidence in the outcome, suggesting minimal risk of failure.

was destined to occur

Suggests that the event was predetermined by fate or some higher power.

was preordained

Emphasizes the divine or supernatural control over the event's outcome.

was beyond doubt

Focuses on the lack of uncertainty or questioning about the event.

was to be expected

Suggests that the event was logical and anticipated based on the circumstances.

FAQs

How to use "was a certainty" in a sentence?

Use "was a certainty" to express that something in the past was guaranteed to happen. For example, "To Republicans, the eventual approval of Judge Gorsuch "was a certainty"."

What can I say instead of "was a certainty"?

You can use alternatives like "was assured", "was guaranteed", or "was inevitable" depending on the context.

Which is correct, "was a certainty" or "is a certainty"?

"Was a certainty" refers to a past event or situation viewed with high confidence. "Is a certainty" refers to a present or future event viewed with similar confidence. The correct choice depends on the time frame you are referencing.

What's the difference between "was a certainty" and "seemed likely"?

"Was a certainty" implies a stronger conviction and higher probability than "seemed likely". The former suggests near-guaranteed outcome, while the latter implies a reasonable chance but not a definite one.