were not sure

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "were not sure" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used when expressing uncertainty or lack of confidence about something. Example: "We were not sure if the meeting would take place as scheduled."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

57 human-written examples

Others were not sure.

The New Yorker

Some delegates were not sure.

The Economist

The Knicks were not sure.

The New York Times - Sports

Others were not sure where they stood.

The Economist

Others were not sure what to do.

The New York Times

The researchers were not sure why.

The New York Times

Some were not sure what it meant.

The New York Times - Sports

Officials said they were not sure why.

The New York Times

"We prepared but we were not sure what to expect.

The Guardian - Sport

They were not sure they wanted to watch.

The New York Times

Some firefighters were not sure which tower was which.

The New York Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When writing, replace "were not sure" with a more precise term (e.g., "were doubtful", "were uncertain") to accurately convey the degree and nature of the uncertainty.

Common error

Avoid overuse by varying sentence structure. Instead of repeatedly saying "they were not sure", try rephrasing with alternative expressions like "they had doubts" or "they questioned whether".

Linguistic Context

The phrase "were not sure" functions as a statement of uncertainty or lack of knowledge. It typically follows a subject and precedes an element about which there is doubt, indicating a state of doubt, indecision, or lack of information. As Ludwig AI confirms, this phrase is correct and usable in written English.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

50%

Science

47%

Formal & Business

1%

Less common in

Encyclopedias

0%

Wiki

0%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "were not sure" is a common and grammatically sound way to express uncertainty. Ludwig AI analysis confirms its usability across diverse writing styles. The phrase is particularly prevalent in news, media, and scientific contexts, indicating its broad applicability. While "were not sure" is versatile, consider using synonyms like "were uncertain" or "were doubtful" for greater precision or stylistic variation. Be sure to match singular "was" or plural "were" based on subject-verb agreement. By varying your language choices, you can effectively communicate uncertainty while maintaining clarity and engagement.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

were uncertain

Replaces "not sure" with a single adjective, maintaining a similar level of formality.

felt unsure

Uses a more informal phrasing for expressing a feeling of uncertainty.

were in doubt

A more formal way of expressing uncertainty.

were unconvinced

Highlights that they hadn't been persuaded or convinced about something.

expressed uncertainty

Directly states the act of expressing a lack of certainty.

were doubtful

Emphasizes a stronger feeling of disbelief or skepticism compared to simple uncertainty.

were skeptical

Implies a questioning attitude and a tendency to disbelieve.

remained hesitant

Suggests a reluctance to act due to uncertainty or doubt.

had reservations

Indicates that there were concerns or doubts about something.

lacked confidence

Focuses on the absence of confidence rather than the lack of certainty.

FAQs

How can I use "were not sure" in a sentence?

You can use "were not sure" to express uncertainty about a fact, decision, or future event. For example, "They "were not sure" if the event would be canceled."

What can I say instead of "were not sure"?

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

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

"Were not sure" is used with plural subjects, while "was not sure" is used with singular subjects. For example, "They "were not sure"", but "He "was not sure"".

What's the difference between "were not sure" and "were unsure"?

"Were not sure" and "were unsure" are often interchangeable, but "were unsure" can sometimes imply a slightly stronger feeling of uncertainty or anxiety.