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# certainly

adverb (certainly)

«certainly» in the English dictionary: everyday and in Jewish tradition — its meanings, how the lessons use it, and examples, each with its tree on Mova.

## Everyday

1. Certainly means without any doubt; surely. [tree →](https://mova.elamur.ai/free/en/corpora/dictionaries/school/C/certainly/#m1)
2. Certainly is a polite way of saying «yes» or «of course» when someone asks for something. [tree →](https://mova.elamur.ai/free/en/corpora/dictionaries/school/C/certainly/#m2)
3. Certainly can mean «it is true that…», before a «but». [tree →](https://mova.elamur.ai/free/en/corpora/dictionaries/school/C/certainly/#m3)

### In the lessons

In everyday talk «certainly» is a polite «yes»: «Can I borrow a pencil?» — «Certainly.» In stories and writing it shows the speaker is sure. In school reasoning it marks something that must be true, unlike «probably» or «maybe». Phrases: «certainly not» (a firm no), «almost certainly», «most certainly».

### Examples

- «May I open the window?» «Certainly.» [tree →](https://mova.elamur.ai/free/en/corpora/dictionaries/school/C/certainly/#x1)
- It will certainly rain later — look at those clouds. [tree →](https://mova.elamur.ai/free/en/corpora/dictionaries/school/C/certainly/#x2)
- You certainly worked hard on this project. [tree →](https://mova.elamur.ai/free/en/corpora/dictionaries/school/C/certainly/#x3)
- «Can I stay up all night?» «Certainly not!» [tree →](https://mova.elamur.ai/free/en/corpora/dictionaries/school/C/certainly/#x4)
- She is almost certainly at the library. [tree →](https://mova.elamur.ai/free/en/corpora/dictionaries/school/C/certainly/#x5)
- It was certainly a long walk, but it was fun. [tree →](https://mova.elamur.ai/free/en/corpora/dictionaries/school/C/certainly/#x6)
- The team will most certainly win if they play like that. [tree →](https://mova.elamur.ai/free/en/corpora/dictionaries/school/C/certainly/#x7)
- A triangle certainly has three sides. [tree →](https://mova.elamur.ai/free/en/corpora/dictionaries/school/C/certainly/#x8)
- "Certainly; and I can do it." [tree →](https://mova.elamur.ai/free/en/corpora/dictionaries/school/C/certainly/#x9)

### Note

Spelling: certain + ly. «Certainly not» is a strong refusal. In probability, «certain» means it will definitely happen (probability 1); «almost certainly» is very likely but not sure. Do not confuse with «certainty» (a noun: the feeling of being sure).

## In Jewish tradition

Used in older English for emphasis, as in "surely" or "for sure". In the primary lessons: In everyday talk «certainly» is a polite «yes»: «Can I borrow a pencil?» — «Certainly.» In stories and writing it shows the speaker is sure. In school reasoning it marks something that must be true, unlike «probably» or «maybe». Phrases: «certainly not» (a firm no), «almost certainly», «most certainly».

### Examples

- It is a guilt-offering — he is certainly guilty before the LORD. (Torah LEV.5.19, JPS 1917) [tree →](https://mova.elamur.ai/free/en/corpora/dictionaries/judaism/C/certainly/#x1)
- Behold, the blood of it was not brought into the sanctuary within; ye should certainly have eaten it in the sanctuary, as I commanded.' (Torah LEV.10.18, JPS 1917) [tree →](https://mova.elamur.ai/free/en/corpora/dictionaries/judaism/C/certainly/#x2)
- And He said: 'I will certainly return unto thee when the season cometh round; and, lo, Sarah thy wife shall have a son.' And Sarah heard in the tent door, which was behind him. — (Torah GEN.18.10, JPS 1917) [tree →](https://mova.elamur.ai/free/en/corpora/dictionaries/judaism/C/certainly/#x3)
- Lo, certainly in vain hath wrought the vain pen of the scribes. (Prophets JER.8.8, JPS 1917) [tree →](https://mova.elamur.ai/free/en/corpora/dictionaries/judaism/C/certainly/#x4)
- Wilt thou set thine eyes upon it? it is gone; for riches certainly make themselves wings, like an eagle that flieth toward heaven. (Writings PRO.23.5, JPS 1917) [tree →](https://mova.elamur.ai/free/en/corpora/dictionaries/judaism/C/certainly/#x5)
- The LORD hath spoken concerning you, O remnant of Judah: Go ye not into Egypt; know certainly that I have forewarned you this day. (Prophets JER.42.19, JPS 1917) [tree →](https://mova.elamur.ai/free/en/corpora/dictionaries/judaism/C/certainly/#x6)

### Note

Spelling: certain + ly. «Certainly not» is a strong refusal. In probability, «certain» means it will definitely happen (probability 1); «almost certainly» is very likely but not sure. Do not confuse with «certainty» (a noun: the feeling of being sure).

## On Mova

- [Trees and pragmatics of «certainly» in the school dictionary](https://mova.elamur.ai/free/en/corpora/dictionaries/school/C/certainly/): every meaning and example parsed by Mova, with its dependency tree and frames.
- [«certainly» in the school dictionary](https://mova.elamur.ai/free/en/dictionaries/school/w/certainly.html) on Mova free.
- [Trees and pragmatics of «certainly» in the Judaism dictionary](https://mova.elamur.ai/free/en/corpora/dictionaries/judaism/C/certainly/): every meaning and example parsed by Mova, with its dependency tree and frames.
- [«certainly» in the Judaism dictionary](https://mova.elamur.ai/free/en/dictionaries/judaism/w/certainly.html) on Mova free.