Stronger Ways to Express Certainty

Stronger Ways to Express Certainty in English (B1–C1 Vocabulary Guide)

Stronger Ways to Express Certainty

Hello, dear English learners! Today we are exploring useful expressions to show how sure you are about something. Whether you are speaking, writing, or preparing for the B2 First or C1 Advanced exam, being able to express different degrees of certainty helps you sound natural, confident, and precise. Stronger Ways to Express Certainty

Below, you’ll find common and very handy ways to say you’re certain, along with clear meanings and real examples.

(If you want the opposite — ways to express uncertainty — you can read that lesson here.)

Certain

Meaning: completely sure that something is true.

• I’m certain that this photograph was taken when I was 5 years old.
• Sandra felt absolutely certain that she’d never seen that man before.
• The candidate seemed certain to win the election.

Positive

Meaning: sure that something is true.

• I’m absolutely positive that I saw my keys on the desk this morning.
• I’m positive that man acts in the film we watched last week.
• Milly was positive that she gave her neighbour the parcel.

Sure

Meaning: confident in your belief or opinion.

• I’m sure it’ll do you good to drink this tea for colds.
• What makes you sure this is the correct answer?
• It isn’t easy to be sure what next week’s weather will be like.

Definite

Meaning: fixed; not likely to change.

• The manager was definite that there would be no meetings next week.
• We tried to lower the price, but the seller was very definite about it.
• Is it definite that you’re coming tomorrow?

Confident

Meaning: certain that something will happen or is true.

• Mark was confident that property prices would go down.
• The police were confident of catching the thief.
• He was quite confident that he would pass the test.

Convinced

Meaning: completely sure.

• The judge and jury were convinced that the accused was guilty.
• The man tried to run away, convinced that a rabid dog was chasing him.
• Lorna was convinced that one day she would meet Mr Right.

No doubt / No question

Meaning: used to emphasise certainty.

• There is no doubt we will get home before midnight.
• Mira is the best candidate so far — no question about it.
• We’ll meet again next week, no doubt.

To know for a fact

Meaning: be completely certain about something.

• I know for a fact that Jason didn’t sleep at home last night.
• John knew for a fact that the air was polluted with carbon monoxide.
• I may not know tomorrow’s weather, but I know for a fact that I’ll wake up at 6.

Correct me if I’m wrong

Meaning: a polite way to express certainty when you expect someone to confirm it.

• Correct me if I’m wrong, but haven’t we arranged to meet at 10 o’clock?
• Correct me if I’m wrong, but I think Melanie took a day off today.
• Correct me if I’m wrong, but didn’t I tell you the document was confidential?

In my humble opinion (IMHO)

Meaning: expresses a firm opinion in a polite way.

• In my humble opinion, it’s a very sound investment.
• In my humble opinion, the best wine is made in France.
• The Mediterranean diet is, in my humble opinion, the best diet.

Unless I’m mistaken

Meaning: used to politely say you’re quite sure about something.

• Unless I’m mistaken, there was a car park here 20 years ago.
• Unless I’m mistaken, Mildred is entitled to unemployment benefits.
• Unless I’m mistaken, this paragraph has been changed.

Beyond doubt

Meaning: there is absolutely no room for doubt.

• All the evidence proves that he is innocent beyond doubt.
• That the building was over 100 years old was beyond doubt.
• The survey proved beyond doubt that people prefer holidays in warm countries.

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