Are you really sure?
Posted: Sat Dec 17, 2022 10:28 pm
Expressions of certainty, sureness and doubt are not always what they seem on the face of it. There are nuances of meaning, which must be confusing for non-native speakers. For example:
1. He will certainly come.
or
I am telling you for certain that he will come.
(= he will definitely come; I know it)
2. I am certain that he will come.
(= I don't know it, but I have no doubt about it)
3. He will no doubt come.
(= I am confident that he will come, but there is a very slight element of doubt)
4. He will surely come.
(= there is a greater element of doubt)
5. Surely he will come.
(= I am fairly confident that he will come, but I am slightly worried that he may not)
6. Surely he's not going to come [?/!]
(= Oh God, what if he does?)
1. He will certainly come.
or
I am telling you for certain that he will come.
(= he will definitely come; I know it)
2. I am certain that he will come.
(= I don't know it, but I have no doubt about it)
3. He will no doubt come.
(= I am confident that he will come, but there is a very slight element of doubt)
4. He will surely come.
(= there is a greater element of doubt)
5. Surely he will come.
(= I am fairly confident that he will come, but I am slightly worried that he may not)
6. Surely he's not going to come [?/!]
(= Oh God, what if he does?)