certainly
gb/sˈɚtənli/ us/sˈɚtənli/
A2
English
~ 600
biztosan, határozottan, egyértelműen, kétségtelenül, természetesen
A2
1
Usage pattern:
[someone] certainly [verb/verb phrase]
She will certainly be at the meeting.
Biztosan ott lesz a megbeszélésen.
This is certainly the best pizza I’ve ever had.
Ez kétségtelenül a legjobb pizza, amit valaha ettem.
He will certainly call you back later.
The team will certainly make the playoffs this year.
Learner examples
It will certainly rain tomorrow.
Holnap biztosan esni fog az eső.
She is certainly my best friend.
Ő biztosan a legjobb barátom.
You will certainly like this movie.
He will certainly help you with your homework.
Common mistake:
Learners sometimes confuse 'certainly' with 'certain', using 'I am certainly' instead of 'I am certain'. Remember that 'certainly' is an adverb and modifies verbs or whole statements.
Meaning
Without any doubt
Collocations
most certainly
|almost certainly
|certainly true
|certainly happen
Synonyms
definitely (Slightly less formal; very common in speech.)
|
surely (Can sound more emotional or persuasive.)
Antonyms
possibly (Suggests that something might happen but is not sure.)
|
doubtfully (Indicates uncertainty or lack of confidence.)
Themes
confirmation
|certainty
|agreement
|communication
|core_vocabulary
Definition
Used to say that something is sure or true.
Used to emphasize that something is definitely true or will definitely happen.
B1
2
'Could you send me the report?' 'Certainly.'
– El tudná küldeni nekem a jelentést? – Természetesen.
'May I open the window?' 'Certainly.'
– Kinyithatom az ablakot? – Természetesen.
Certainly, I’ll help you with that.
Learner examples
'Can you help me?' 'Certainly.'
– Tudsz segíteni? – Természetesen.
'May I use your phone?' 'Certainly.'
– Használhatom a telefonodat? – Természetesen.
Certainly, I will come with you.
Common mistake:
Learners may overuse 'certainly' in casual conversation, where it can sound overly formal; in informal speech, 'sure' or 'of course' may be more natural.
Meaning
Polite agreement or permission
Collocations
Yes, certainly
|Certainly, sir/madam
Synonyms
of course (Slightly more casual than 'certainly'.)
|
absolutely (More emphatic, can sound stronger than 'certainly'.)
Antonyms
no way (Strong refusal, opposite of polite agreement.)
Themes
politeness
|conversation
|communication
|daily_life
|core_vocabulary
Definition
Used to politely say yes or agree to do something.
Used as a polite way to say 'yes' or to agree to a request.
Grammar
Dictionary form
certainly
IPA
GB/sˈɚtənli/
US/sˈɚtənli/
Syllables & stress
cer - tainly (2 syllables)
Stress on 1st syllable (cer)
Word forms
Noun
- Base: certainly
- Plural: certainlies
Word family
Forms
certainlies
noun
Negative and opposite forms
Expressions
most certainly
1/mˈoʊst sˈɚtənli/
fixed phrase
Without any doubt at all
Used to say something is 100% sure or true.
Examples
- It will most certainly rain later today.
- You can most certainly count on me.
almost certainly
1/ˈɔlmˌoʊst sˈɚtənli/
fixed phrase
Very likely but not certain
Used to say that something is very likely to happen, but it is not 100% sure.
Examples
- She will almost certainly say yes.
- He will almost certainly get the job.
- This will almost certainly cause problems.
- The train is almost certainly late again.