was sure that

USAGE SUMMARY

"was sure that" is a grammatically correct and commonly used phrase in written English.
It is typically used to express someone's certainty or belief about something. Example: "She was sure that she had locked the door before leaving the house." In this sentence, the phrase "was sure that" shows that the subject (she) is certain that they did a specific action (locking the door). Other examples could include: - "I was sure that I had studied enough for the test." - "He was sure that he had seen the movie before." - "They were sure that the project would be successful." Overall, "was sure that" can be used in any situation where someone is expressing their belief or certainty about something in the past tense.

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Academia

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

And I was sure that was what I was doing.

Huffington Post

Spark was sure that they were.

The Guardian - Books

Mrs. Dupree was sure that it was.

The New York Times

I was sure that was it".

The Guardian - TV & Radio

A. I actually was sure that I blew it.

The New York Times

But Semele was sure that her man was a god.

The New Yorker

"I was sure that we would have another chance".

The New York Times

He was sure that he could do better.

The New Yorker

Or before anyone was sure that she existed at all.

The New Yorker

He was sure that a great destiny awaited him.

The New Yorker

She was sure that they weren't trash made for tourists.

The New Yorker

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "was sure that" to convey a strong belief or certainty about a past event or situation. It is suitable for both formal and informal contexts.

Common error

Avoid using "was sure that" when referring to a current or future certainty. Use "am sure that" or "will be sure that" instead.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "was sure that" functions as a declarative expression of past certainty. It introduces a clause expressing a belief or conviction held by someone in the past. Ludwig AI confirms this usage with numerous real-world examples.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

70%

Academia

15%

Science

10%

Less common in

Formal & Business

2%

Wiki

2%

Reference

1%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "was sure that" is a grammatically sound and frequently used phrase to express a past state of certainty. Ludwig AI confirms its wide applicability across diverse contexts, particularly in news media, academia, and scientific writing. While suitable for both formal and informal situations, it is crucial to use the correct tense. Alternatives such as "was certain that" or "was convinced that" can provide nuanced variations in meaning. Be mindful of potential errors, such as using the incorrect tense, to ensure clarity and precision in your writing.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

was certain that

Uses a synonym for "sure", maintaining a similar level of conviction.

was convinced that

Emphasizes a state of being persuaded or assured.

was positive that

Indicates an affirmative and confident belief.

had no doubt that

Expresses a lack of uncertainty or hesitation.

believed with certainty that

Highlights the strength and sureness of the belief.

felt sure that

Emphasizes the feeling or intuition behind the certainty.

was of the opinion that

Introduces a belief or judgment, softening the conviction.

was under the impression that

Suggests a belief based on incomplete or indirect information.

presumed that

Implies a belief based on probability or likelihood.

assumed that

Suggests a belief taken for granted without proof.

FAQs

How can I use "was sure that" in a sentence?

You can use "was sure that" to express a strong belief about something in the past. For example, "I was sure that I locked the door."

What can I say instead of "was sure that"?

You can use alternatives like "was certain that", "was convinced that", or "had no doubt that" depending on the context.

Which is correct: "was sure that" or "is sure that"?

"Was sure that" is used for past events, while "is sure that" is used for current beliefs. For example, "I was sure that I saw him yesterday" versus "I am sure that he is coming today."

What's the difference between "was sure that" and "assumed that"?

"Was sure that" implies a strong conviction, while "assumed that" suggests a belief based on less evidence or without proof.