certain - sure

certain - sure
◊ having no doubts
If you are certain or sure about something, you have no doubts about it.

He felt certain that she would disapprove.

I'm sure she's right.

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Note that certain and sure cannot be used with this meaning in front of a noun.
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◊ definite truths
If it is certain that something is true, it is definitely true. If it is certain that something will happen, it will definitely happen.

It is certain that he did not ask for the original of the portrait.

It seemed certain that the satellite had burned up completely on re-entering the earth's atmosphere.

It is certain that they will have some spectacular successes.

It seems certain that they will both have to stay in prison for the rest of their lives.

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Note that you do not say that it is `sure' that something is true or will happen.
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Instead of saying that it is certain that someone or something will do something, you can say that they are certain to do it or are sure to do it.

I'm waiting for Cynthia. She's certain to be late.

The growth in demand is certain to drive up the price.

These fears are sure to go away as the baby gets older.

The telephone stopped ringing. `It's sure to ring again,' Sarah said.

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Instead of saying that it is certain that someone will be able to do something, you often say that they can be certain of doing it or can be sure of doing it.

Anyone could be virtually certain of boarding.

He could be sure of taking his men unawares.

You can always be sure of controlling one thing — the strength with which you hit the ball.

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You do not use words such as `very' or `extremely' in front of certain or sure. If you want to emphasize that someone has no doubts or that something is true, you use words such as `absolutely' and `completely'.

We are not yet absolutely certain that this report is true.

Whether it was directed at Eddie or me, I couldn't be completely certain.

Can you be absolutely sure that a murder has been committed?

She felt completely sure that she was pregnant.

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Useful english dictionary. 2012.

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Look at other dictionaries:

  • sure — [shoor] adj.. surer surest th [OFr .seur < L securus: see SECURE] 1. Obs. secure or safe 2. that will not fail; always effective [a sure method] 3. that can be relied upon; trustworthy [a sure friend] …   English World dictionary

  • sure — sureness, n. /shoor, sherr/, adj., surer, surest, adv. adj. 1. free from doubt as to the reliability, character, action, etc., of something: to be sure of one s data. 2. confident, as of something expected: sure of success. 3. convinced, fully… …   Universalium

  • sure as shooting — I adjective absolutely certain it is sure as shooting that they will come • Similar to: ↑certain II adverb definitely or positively ( sure is sometimes used informally for surely ) (Freq. 1) the results are surely encouraging …   Useful english dictionary

  • sure enough — adverb 1. as supposed or expected (Freq. 3) sure enough, he asked her for money again 2. definitely or positively ( sure is sometimes used informally for surely ) (Freq. 3) the results are surely encouraging she certainly is a hard worker it s… …   Useful english dictionary

  • Sure — Sure, a. [Compar. {Surer}; superl. {Surest}.] [OE. sur, OF. se[ u]r, F. s[^u]r, L. securus; se aside, without + cura care. See {Secure}, and cf. {Assure}, {Insure}, {Sicker} sure.] 1. Certainly knowing and believing; confident beyond doubt;… …   The Collaborative International Dictionary of English

  • certain — certain, aine (sèr tin, tè n ) adj. 1°   Qui ne peut manquer, faillir, tromper, en parlant des choses. Ce qui est certain Il est certain que.... Je n oserais donner pour certain que.... Tenir pour certain. Un espoir certain de salut. Je le sais… …   Dictionnaire de la Langue Française d'Émile Littré

  • sure — 1 assured, *confident, sanguine, presumptuous Analogous words: relying, trusting, depending, counting, banking (see RELY): inerrant, unerring, *infallible: *safe, secure 2 Sure, certain, positive, cocksure mean having or showing no doubt. Sure… …   New Dictionary of Synonyms

  • Certain — Cer tain, a. [F. certain, fr. (assumed) LL. certanus, fr. L. certus determined, fixed, certain, orig. p. p. of cernere to perceive, decide, determine; akin to Gr. ? to decide, separate, and to E. concern, critic, crime, riddle a sieve, rinse, v.] …   The Collaborative International Dictionary of English

  • certain — [sʉrt′ n] adj. [ME & OFr < VL * certanus < L certus, determined, fixed, orig. pp. of cernere, to distinguish, decide, orig., to sift, separate: see HARVEST] 1. fixed, settled, or determined 2. sure (to happen, etc.); inevitable 3. not to be …   English World dictionary

  • certain — certain, aine [ sɛrtɛ̃, ɛn ] adj. et pron. • certan 1160; lat. pop. °certanus, de certus « assuré » I ♦ Adj. A ♦ Après le nom 1 ♦ (Possibilité) (Sujet chose) Qui est effectif sans laisser aucun doute, perçu directement ou établi par des preuves,… …   Encyclopédie Universelle

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