we can certainly

USAGE SUMMARY

'we can certainly' is a correct and usable phrase in written English.
It is often used as an affirmative response to an idea or suggestion that has been made. For example: "We should get a pizza for dinner tonight." "We can certainly do that!".

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Academia

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

We can certainly hope.

The Washington Post

"We can certainly press charges.

The Guardian

We can certainly debate the point.

The Economist

With this in mind, we can certainly..

The New York Times - Books

But we can certainly learn from him.

The Guardian

"We can certainly do that," Walter said.

The New Yorker

On that we can certainly agree.

The Guardian - Lifestyle

"We can certainly look at transitional arrangements.

The Guardian

And now that's an integral we can certainly do.

Massachusetts Institute of Technology

"We can certainly talk to the boy," the principal said.

The New York Times - Style

But we can certainly have a bubble warning system".

The New Yorker

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "we can certainly" to express agreement or confidence in a proposed action or idea. For example, in response to a suggestion, saying "we can certainly do that" affirms the possibility and willingness to proceed.

Common error

Avoid using "we can certainly" excessively, as it can make your writing sound repetitive. Instead, vary your language with synonyms like "we definitely can" or "we absolutely can" to maintain reader engagement.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "we can certainly" functions as an affirmative modal phrase, indicating agreement, capability, or strong possibility. Ludwig AI confirms its grammatical correctness and usability. Examples in Ludwig show it used across various contexts to express confidence in taking action or supporting an idea.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

70%

Academia

15%

Formal & Business

5%

Less common in

Science

5%

Encyclopedias

0%

Wiki

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "we can certainly" is a versatile phrase used to express agreement, capability, or possibility. According to Ludwig AI, it is grammatically correct and frequently used in written English. It's particularly common in news and media contexts, followed by academia, indicating its widespread acceptance in both formal and informal settings. When using "we can certainly", remember to vary your language and context to avoid sounding repetitive. This will enhance the clarity and impact of your communication. As shown by the examples listed on Ludwig, this expression appears in many authoritative sources.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

we definitely can

Emphasizes the capability with a higher degree of certainty.

we surely can

Indicates confidence in the ability to perform an action.

we absolutely can

Highlights the lack of any doubt regarding the capability.

we undoubtedly can

Conveys a sense of inevitability or assuredness.

we are certainly able to

A more formal way of expressing the same sentiment, emphasizing ability.

it is certainly possible for us to

Highlights the possibility of an action, rather than directly stating capability.

we could certainly

Expresses a conditional possibility, suggesting a potential course of action.

we might certainly

Indicates a lower degree of probability compared to "we can certainly".

we will certainly

Shifts the focus from capability to a future action that is assured.

we are definitely going to

Implies intention and near-certainty about a future action.

FAQs

How can I use "we can certainly" in a sentence?

You can use "we can certainly" to express agreement or capability. For example, "If you need help with the project, "we can certainly" assist you".

What can I say instead of "we can certainly"?

You can use alternatives like "we definitely can", "we absolutely can", or "we surely can depending on the context.

Is it more formal to say "we can certainly" or "we definitely can"?

"We can certainly" is generally considered slightly more formal than "we definitely can", although both are acceptable in most professional contexts.

Can "we can certainly" be used to express doubt?

No, "we can certainly" is generally used to express agreement, capability, or possibility, not doubt. To express doubt, you might say "we are not sure if we can" or "we may not be able to".