Adverbs of Certainty: Dictionary meaning with examples

  • このエントリーをはてなブックマークに追加

I Will Surely Finish this Blog Before Sundown

Adverbs of Certainty state how sure we feel about an action or event. For example: 

“I will surely finish writing this blog before sundown.” 

Image representation of the content above

The above Adverb of Certainty, “surely” says that I’m 100% certain that I will come to the end of this little English article before the sun goes down. Other examples of Adverbs of Certainty include: 

Definitely 

Undoubtedly 

Certainly 

Probably 

The List

What are some well-known examples of Adverbs of Certainty? Here are a few of them

Word: Definitely

Definition: Without a doubt

Pronunciation: dɛfɪnətli

Example: The Comedian Steven Wright said, “If at first, you don’t succeed, then skydiving definitely isn’t for you.”  By using the Adverb of Certainty “definitely,” he emphasized the fact that jumping from an airplane has no room for error. 

Word: Undoubtedly

Definition: Something that is true

Pronunciation: ʌnˈdaʊ.tɪd.li

Example: The Mountaineer Edmund Hilary, a person who explores remote mountains, said about his partner, “I have never regarded myself as a hero, but Tenzing undoubtedly was.” 

Hilary and Tenzing Norgay were the first to successfully climb Mount Everest. By using the Adverb of Certainty “undoubtedly,” Hilary emphasized the fact that he isn’t a “hero,” but his friend Tenzig is. 

Word: Certainly

Definition: In no doubt

Pronunciation: sər-tᵊn-lē 

Example: The American Historian Mary Ritter Beard said, “Certainly, travel is more than the seeing of sights; it is a change […] in the ideas of living.”  By using the Adverb of Certainty “certainly,” Beard emphasized the fact that travel causes a change deep within the traveler. The traveler takes insights and new ways of living. 

Word: Probably

Definition: Something is likely to happen

Pronunciation: prɒbəbli

Example: There is a traditional saying that says that “anything that works like magic probably isn’t real.” By using the Adverb “probably,” the saying emphasizes the fact “magic” isn’t a solution for our problems. 

Examples of the Adverbs of Certainty

  • Martha definitely passed the test. 
  • He is probably going to be late again. 
  • Our class president is undoubtedly a great leader. 

Let’s practice 

Q1: Try making your own sentence.

Q2: Using definitely, tell me about your plans for the next year. 

Q3: What do you think will probably happen if we don’t find a cure for the Coronavirus soon?

Eigooo, the English Training Chat Application

To improve your English, the best way is to practice every day.

Eigooo supports you with a 24/7 chat service with real teachers.

  • You can chat with the teacher one-on-one.
  • The teacher will make immediate corrections to your messages.
  • No need to make a reservation. You can start whenever you want.
  • The free trial is ready.

Sign up now and get free messages to try it out


  • このエントリーをはてなブックマークに追加

SNSでもご購読できます。