we can be certain

USAGE SUMMARY

The part of the sentence "we can be certain" is correct and usable in written English.
You can use it when you want to express a feeling of confidence or assurance in something. For example: "We can be certain that the football team will have a great season this year."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Formal & Business

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

58 human-written examples

Of that we can be certain.

Independent

"We can be certain that this is Ruess".

The New York Times

But we can be certain of one thing.

Independent

It is only from these that we can be certain which soldiers have survived.

The Guardian - Film

One thing we can be certain of is an annual rent increase.

The Guardian

Either way, we can be certain they're not having sex, despite that logo.

The Guardian

But we can be certain that he was not thinking enough.

The New York Times

However, we can be certain he won't be short of offers.

The Guardian - Sport

We can be certain he would welcome her back to his fold.

Independent

Nevertheless, we can be certain that the number of originations was very small.

The New York Times

Of one thing we can be certain: Energy will be more costly regardless of its source.

The New York Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "we can be certain" when you want to express a strong sense of assurance based on evidence or reasoning. Ensure the context supports the level of confidence you are conveying.

Common error

Avoid using "we can be certain" when the evidence is weak or incomplete. Overstating certainty can undermine your credibility if the assertion proves to be incorrect.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "we can be certain" functions as an assertion of strong confidence or assurance. It suggests that there is a high degree of certainty regarding the truth or validity of a statement. Ludwig shows many examples where this phrase is used to convey a firm belief based on evidence or reasoning.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

60%

Science

20%

Formal & Business

10%

Less common in

Encyclopedias

3%

Reference

3%

Wiki

2%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "we can be certain" is a phrase used to express a high degree of confidence or assurance in a statement. As shown by Ludwig, it is grammatically correct and frequently used across various contexts, including News & Media, Science, and Formal & Business settings. It's crucial to use this phrase judiciously, ensuring that the context and evidence support the level of certainty being conveyed. Alternatives such as "we can be sure" or "we have no doubt" can be used to express similar sentiments with slightly different nuances. Ludwig AI confirms its usability in written English. Using it wisely will enhance clarity and strengthen the impact of your statements.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

we can be sure

Replaces "certain" with "sure", a direct synonym, maintaining a high degree of similarity.

it is certain that we can

Inverts the sentence structure, placing emphasis on the certainty itself.

we can confidently say

Substitutes "be certain" with "confidently say", emphasizing the speaker's confidence.

we are sure of

Changes the verb structure to emphasize being sure about something.

we have no doubt

Expresses certainty by negating doubt, offering a slightly stronger assertion.

it is beyond question that we

Uses a more formal and emphatic tone to convey certainty.

we are convinced

Focuses on the state of being convinced as the basis for certainty.

we can guarantee

Introduces the concept of a guarantee, adding a layer of commitment.

we are positive

Uses "positive" as a synonym for "certain", offering a slightly less formal tone.

without a doubt, we

Emphasizes the absence of doubt as the foundation for the statement.

FAQs

How can I use "we can be certain" in a sentence?

Use "we can be certain" to express a high degree of confidence in a statement, such as "We can be certain that the project will be completed on time because all milestones have been successfully met".

What are some alternatives to "we can be certain"?

Alternatives include phrases like "we can be sure", "we have no doubt", or "we are confident", depending on the specific nuance you want to convey.

Is it always appropriate to use "we can be certain"?

No, it's not always appropriate. Use "we can be certain" only when you have strong evidence or a solid basis for your claim. Avoid using it when there is significant uncertainty or incomplete information.

What's the difference between "we can be certain" and "we believe"?

"We can be certain" indicates a higher level of confidence and assurance than "we believe". The former suggests that the statement is based on solid evidence, while the latter implies a personal opinion or conviction.