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cer‧tain‧ly S1 W1
[sentence adverb]
[sentence adverb]1 without any doubt [= definitely]: I certainly never expected to become a writer. They're certainly not mine.
I certainly never expected to become a writer.They're certainly not mine.2 spoken used to agree or give your permission : 'I'd like a beer, please' 'Certainly, sir.' 'Can I come along?' 'Certainly.'
'I'd like a beer, please' 'Certainly, sir.''Can I come along?' 'Certainly.'3 used to disagree completely or to refuse to give permission : 'May I go?' 'Certainly not!'
certainly not
spoken'May I go?' 'Certainly not!'WORD CHOICE: WORD CHOICE:
surely, definitely, certainly, naturally, be sure toUse surely to say that you think something must be true, especially when other people do not agree • They should be there by now, surely.Use definitely to say that something is certain to happen or be true • I will definitely be back (NOT I will surely be back) by ten. Use certainly to emphasize that something is true • He certainly is (NOT surely is) a great cook.Use naturally to mean 'as anyone would expect' • They were very late, so naturally I was (NOT surely I was) worried.Use be sure to to say that something is certain to happen • If you work hard you are sure to succeed (NOT you will surely succeed). ➔ See also surely
WORD CHOICE: surely, definitely, certainly, naturally, be sure toUse surely to say that you think something must be true, especially when other people do not agree • They should be there by now, surely.Use definitely to say that something is certain to happen or be true • I will definitely be back (NOT I will surely be back) by ten. Use certainly to emphasize that something is true • He certainly is (NOT surely is) a great cook.Use naturally to mean 'as anyone would expect' • They were very late, so naturally I was (NOT surely I was) worried.Use be sure to to say that something is certain to happen • If you work hard you are sure to succeed (NOT you will surely succeed). ➔ See also surely
