will certainly be missed

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "will certainly be missed" is correct and commonly used in written English.
It is usually used to express regret or sadness about someone or something that will no longer be present or available. Example: "John was a beloved member of our community and his absence will certainly be missed by all who knew him."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

18 human-written examples

He will certainly be missed.

The Guardian - Music

"He is a true public servant and will certainly be missed".

The New York Times

"Ernie" will certainly be missed by those who were touched by his intellect, compassion, and wit.

The New York Times

"It's the end of an era, and she will certainly be missed".

The New York Times

"He was always great to bounce something off of, and that will certainly be missed.

The Guardian - Film

He will certainly be missed by thousands of his piano students.

The New York Times

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

42 human-written examples

"Man, he'll certainly be missed," Richards said, "especially backstage.

The Guardian - Music

He'll certainly be missed by the recipients of the $650m of his money he spent on being mayor.

Independent

The United Nations Millennium Development Goall of all children completing primary school by 2015 will almost certainly be missed.

The New York Times

For almost 25 years, the international community has been failing to keep a promise to provide a primary school education for all children - and the current target of 2015 will almost certainly be missed and then shunted back to 2030.

BBC

But the almost childlike playfulness of Mr. Castellari's film (the climax involves the destruction of a toy train set) will just as certainly be missing from the new film, if only because current Hollywood production methods won't allow for such a nonchalant, anything-goes approach.

The New York Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Consider the audience and adjust the tone accordingly. While appropriate in formal settings like obituaries or professional farewells, it can also be adapted for more personal and informal contexts.

Common error

Avoid using "will certainly be missed" as a default phrase without genuine sentiment. Overusing it in every farewell or memorial diminishes its impact. Instead, opt for specific reasons why the person or thing will be missed to add authenticity.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "will certainly be missed" functions as a statement expressing regret or sadness about the future absence of someone or something. It's used to convey that the absence will be notable and felt by others, as Ludwig AI explains.

Expression frequency: Common

Frequent in

News & Media

74%

Formal & Business

20%

Science

6%

Less common in

Academia

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Wiki

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "will certainly be missed" is a common and grammatically correct expression used to convey a sense of loss or regret about the absence of someone or something. As Ludwig AI confirms, it's typically used in neutral to formal contexts, particularly in news and media, but can be adapted for more personal use. When using the phrase, ensure genuineness and consider specific reasons why the absence will be felt to enhance impact. Alternatives such as "will surely be missed" or "will greatly be missed" offer subtle variations in emphasis. Authoritative sources like The New York Times and BBC exemplify its widespread use.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

will surely be missed

Replaces "certainly" with "surely", offering a slightly less emphatic expression of the same sentiment.

will undoubtedly be missed

Substitutes "certainly" with "undoubtedly", suggesting an unquestionable sense of loss.

will definitely be missed

Replaces "certainly" with "definitely", another strong affirmation of the feeling of loss.

will greatly be missed

Replaces "certainly" with "greatly", focusing on the magnitude of the loss rather than the certainty.

will sorely be missed

Emphasizes the pain or hardship caused by the absence, rather than just the certainty of missing someone.

will be sadly missed

Highlights the sadness associated with the absence.

will be missed by all

Shifts the focus to the widespread nature of the feeling of loss.

will leave a void

Focuses on the emptiness created by the absence.

will not be forgotten

Shifts the focus from the feeling of loss to the enduring memory of the person or thing.

will be remembered fondly

Highlights the positive memories associated with the person or thing being missed.

FAQs

How can I use "will certainly be missed" in a sentence?

This phrase is used to express that someone or something will be notably absent and regretted. For example, "Her leadership "will certainly be missed" by the team" or "The annual festival "will certainly be missed" this year".

What are some alternatives to "will certainly be missed"?

Alternatives include "will surely be missed", "will undoubtedly be missed", "will greatly be missed", or "will sorely be missed depending" on the specific nuance you want to convey.

Is it appropriate to use "will certainly be missed" in formal writing?

Yes, "will certainly be missed" is appropriate for formal writing, particularly in obituaries, eulogies, or professional farewell messages. However, ensure the sentiment is genuine and contextually relevant.

What's the difference between "will certainly be missed" and "will be missed"?

Adding "certainly" emphasizes the degree to which someone or something will be missed, suggesting a strong and definite feeling of loss. "Will be missed" is a more general statement of absence without the same level of emphasis.