we're pretty sure

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "we're pretty sure" is correct and usable in written English.
You can use it to express a level of confidence or belief about something, often when you are not completely certain. Example: "After reviewing the evidence, we're pretty sure that the project will be completed on time."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Encyclopedias

Science & Research

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

58 human-written examples

"We're pretty sure they're correct.

The New York Times - Science

We're pretty sure we'll succeed".

The New York Times

We're pretty sure she didn't mean it.

The New York Times

…Well, we're pretty sure they aren't, anyway.

Britannica

We're pretty sure Simons already has.

The Guardian - Lifestyle

"And we're pretty sure your mother framed him".

The New York Times

We're pretty sure it was not football related".

The New York Times - Sports

"We would take your property if we're pretty sure".

The New York Times

We're pretty sure it's the most powerful thing on earth.

The Guardian - TV & Radio

We're pretty sure Loach would take it bittersweet.

The Guardian - Film

We're pretty sure that Marx would have preferred a Rolex.

The New York Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Employ "we're pretty sure" to soften potentially controversial statements or predictions, acknowledging a degree of uncertainty without undermining your overall point.

Common error

Avoid using "we're pretty sure" in highly formal or academic writing. Opt for more precise and confident language such as "we are confident", "we believe", or "the evidence suggests" to maintain a professional tone.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "we're pretty sure" functions as an epistemic stance marker, indicating the speaker's degree of certainty or confidence about a particular statement. As seen in the Ludwig examples, it's used to convey a belief that is well-supported, but not definitively proven. Ludwig AI confirms its correctness and usability.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

75%

Science & Research

10%

Encyclopedias

5%

Less common in

Formal & Business

3%

Wiki

2%

Social Media

5%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "we're pretty sure" is a versatile phrase used to express a belief with a good degree of confidence, though not absolute certainty. Ludwig AI confirms that is correct and usable in English, "we're pretty sure" finds frequent application in various contexts. While perfectly acceptable in many scenarios, it might be less suitable for highly formal writing, where more precise language is preferred. Alternatives such as "we are fairly certain" or "we believe" offer more formal options. This phrase functions as an epistemic stance marker, useful for conveying opinions or predictions while acknowledging uncertainty. Remember to tailor your language to the specific context, considering the level of formality and the desired impact on your audience.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

we are fairly certain

Slightly more formal and emphasizes a reasonable level of certainty.

we are fairly confident

Similar to "fairly certain", suggesting a moderate level of confidence.

we are reasonably confident

Indicates a good level of confidence based on available information.

we are quite confident

Expresses a strong degree of confidence.

we have reason to believe

Highlights that there's a specific justification for their belief.

we tend to believe

Indicates a leaning towards a particular belief based on available evidence.

our assessment suggests

Implies a judgment based on evaluation or analysis.

it is our understanding

Suggests that the information is based on their interpretation or comprehension.

we are inclined to think

Shows a leaning in thought, suggesting less definitive confidence.

we suspect

Indicates a belief based on limited evidence or intuition.

FAQs

What does "we're pretty sure" mean?

The phrase "we're pretty sure" indicates a state of near certainty, suggesting a high degree of confidence but not an absolute guarantee. It implies that there's a strong likelihood of something being true based on available information.

When is it appropriate to use "we're pretty sure"?

It is appropriate to use "we're pretty sure" in situations where you want to convey confidence without absolute certainty, such as when making predictions, offering opinions based on evidence, or sharing beliefs that are well-supported but not definitively proven.

What are some alternatives to "we're pretty sure"?

You can use alternatives like "we are fairly certain", "we are reasonably confident", or "we believe" depending on the context and the level of formality required.

Is "we're pretty sure" suitable for formal writing?

While "we're pretty sure" is acceptable in many contexts, it's generally best to avoid it in highly formal writing. More professional alternatives like "we are confident" or "the evidence suggests" are better choices for maintaining a serious tone.