was not sure

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "was not sure" is correct and usable in written English.
You can use it when expressing uncertainty or doubt about something in the past. Example: "At that moment, I was not sure if I had made the right decision."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Academia

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

She was not sure.

The New York Times

He was not sure.

The New York Times

I was not sure.

The New York Times

He was not sure why.

The New York Times

Mr. Condelario was not sure.

The New York Times

Inés Rodríguez was not sure.

The New York Times

Still, she was not sure.

The New York Times

I was not sure why I cried.

The New York Times

What it meant he was not sure.

The Economist

How it happened, Edgin was not sure.

The New York Times

And this I was not sure of".

The New Yorker

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "was not sure", ensure that the context clarifies the reason for the uncertainty. This makes the sentence more informative and prevents ambiguity.

Common error

Avoid using "was not sure" when a present tense is required. For example, instead of "He "was not sure" what to do now", use "He is not sure what to do now" if the situation is ongoing.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "was not sure" functions as a declarative statement expressing a past state of uncertainty or doubt. This is evident in the provided examples, where individuals express a lack of certainty about various situations or facts. Ludwig AI confirms that the phrase is grammatically correct and usable.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

60%

Academia

20%

Formal & Business

10%

Less common in

Science

5%

Encyclopedias

3%

Wiki

2%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "was not sure" is a versatile phrase used to express past uncertainty, as confirmed by Ludwig AI. It appears frequently in various contexts, including news, academic writing, and general conversation. The phrase is grammatically correct and conveys a lack of definitive knowledge about a specific situation. When writing, be mindful of maintaining tense consistency and providing context for the uncertainty. Consider alternatives like "was uncertain" or "was doubtful" to add nuance to your writing.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

was uncertain

This alternative directly replaces "sure" with "uncertain", maintaining a very similar meaning and level of formality.

couldn't say for sure

This alternative emphasizes the inability to provide a definite answer.

was doubtful

This alternative implies a stronger degree of uncertainty or skepticism compared to "was not sure".

had some doubts

This alternative uses a more general term to indicate the presence of uncertainty.

was unconvinced

This alternative suggests that there was information presented, but it failed to create certainty.

lacked confidence

This alternative shifts the focus to the internal feeling of confidence rather than the external state of certainty.

remained skeptical

This alternative underlines a continuing doubt and disbelief.

had reservations

This alternative suggests a specific reason for the uncertainty, implying that there are known issues or concerns.

was questioning

This alternative focuses on the act of questioning or considering different possibilities.

was hesitant

This alternative indicates a reluctance to act due to the uncertainty.

FAQs

What are some alternatives to "was not sure"?

You can use alternatives like "was uncertain", "was doubtful", or "lacked confidence" depending on the context.

How do I use "was not sure" in a sentence?

"Was not sure" is used to express uncertainty in the past. For example: "She "was not sure" if she had turned off the oven."

Which is correct, "was not sure" or "were not sure"?

"Was not sure" is used with singular subjects (I, he, she, it), while "were not sure" is used with plural subjects (we, you, they). For example: "I "was not sure"" vs. "We "were not sure"".

What's the difference between "was not sure" and "is not sure"?

"Was not sure" refers to a past state of uncertainty, while "is not sure" refers to a present state of uncertainty. For example: "He "was not sure" yesterday" vs. "He is not sure today".