How to Express Certainty, Possibility, Doubt And Uncertainty

When we talk about things or feelings, we often have no exact or specific information about the subject. The following expressions are helpful in conversations where the degree of confidence or uncertainty needs to be communicated. After learning these expressions, practice your listening skill by watching the video in the Exercise section and do the provided exercises.

A. Expressing Certainty

These expressions are used when you're sure about something:

• It’s clear that ....
• It’s obvious that ....
• I’m sure that ....
• I am convinced that ....
• I’m positive that ....
• I have no doubt that ....
• There’s no doubt that ....
• There’s no doubt about it.
• Without a doubt ....
• It’s a certain thing to happen.
• To be exact, ....
• Surely / certainly / exactly.
• Sooner or later, ....

Example:

• I’m sure that we’ll meet the deadline.
• I'm sure that the meeting will be postponed due to the weather.
• I'm positive that this is the right direction to the museum.
• Surely, he’ll accept the job offer
• I have no doubt that we will finish this project by next week.

B. Asking about Certainty and Possibility

These expressions are used when we ask whether something is likely or possible, or what the possibility or certainty is:

• I wonder if ....
• Are you sure?
• How can you be sure?
• Is that true?
• Is it possible to ...?
• Is there any possibility of ...?
• What possibility is there that ...?
• Is there any chance ...?
• What will probably happen ...?
• Do you think it could be ...?

Example:

• Is there any chance of survival?
• Is it possible to do it this way?
• Are you sure this is the right direction to the museum?
• Are you sure you want to take that risk?
• Is that true, or is it just a rumor?

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C. Expressing a possibility

These expressions are used when something is likely or possible, but not certain:

• It’s (very) likely that ....
• There’s a (big) chance that ....
• It’s (quite) possible that ....
• There’s a (great) possibility that ....
• It could/might be that ....
• Maybe/perhaps/probably ....
• There could/might be a problem.
• There seems to be a problem.

Example:

• It’s possible that they’ll arrive late due to traffic.
• Maybe she knows how much we appreciate her efforts.
• There’s a possibility that this method will work.
• It's possible to book a last-minute ticket for the concert.
• He didn't finish the race. There seemed to be a problem with his engine.

D. Expressing Doubt and Uncertainty

These expressions are used when you are unsure or don’t fully believe something:

• I doubt that ....
• I’m not sure that ....
• I don’t think that ....
• It seems unlikely that ....
• I have my doubts about ....
• It’s doubtful that ....
• It’s unclear whether ....
• I can’t say for sure ....
• There's a little chance that ....
• I’m not certain that ....
• I’m uncertain whether ....
• I wonder how ....

Example:

• I doubt that we’ll be able to finish the project on time.
• I doubt that we'll get a refund if the event is canceled.
• It seems unlikely that we’ll get an extension for the project.
• I don't think that it could be related to the server issues we had earlier.
• It's doubtful that the new policy will be implemented soon.
• I’m not sure if she will attend the meeting.

Continue to Exercise Page

EXERCISE

A. Listen to the above dialogue and fill in the blank spaces to complete the sentences below.

Mechanic: “Good morning, Mrs. Tigers. What can we do for you?”
Mrs. Tigers: "Good morning. ...(1)... to be a problem with the car."
Mechanic: "Ah, really? What's wrong?"
Mrs. Tigers: "...(2).... I’ve just noticed that it’s been using a lot of petrol lately, far more than it usually does."
Mechanic: “Oh? Well, we’d better have a look at it, then. Will you be leaving the car with us now?”
Mrs. Tigers: "Yes, I’ll have to. ...(3)... it could be something serious?”
Mechanic: “...(4).... You never know, of course. ...(5)... just be something to do with the engine.”
Mrs. Tigers: "I really hope not. I want to use the car this evening."
Mechanic: "Let's see."
Mrs. Tigers: "...(6)... I’ll be able to? I mean, will it be ready by then?”
Mechanic: “...(7).... It all depends on what the trouble is."
Mrs. Tigers: "I hope it's nothing serious."
Mechanic: "...(8)... you could give us a ring around 5? We’ll know by then.”
Mrs. Tigers: "Give you a call at five? All right."

B. Answer the following questions

1. Where did the conversation take place?
2. What is the dialogue about?
3. What was wrong with Mrs. Tigers’ car?
4. What did the mechanic ask Mrs. Tigers to do?
5. Was the mechanic sure about Mrs. Tigers’ car’s problem?
6. What did the mechanic say might be the problem?
7. What did Mrs. Tigers want to do with the car in the evening?
8. Did the mechanic know when the car would be ready?
9. What time did the mechanic want Mrs. Tigers to call?
10. Did Mrs. Tigers agree to do so?

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