Very sure

Is it correct to say “very sure“?

Many students ask that question and I will answer it in this post.

To learn more, read on.

 

Meaning

The answer to the question is: yes. “Very sure” is technically correct and is sometimes used in English.

The reason you might want to use “very sure” is to emphasise that you are very confident about something – as opposed to being just moderately confident.

For example, you could say in a dialogue:

‘How sure are you?’ ‘Very sure.’

 

Examples

Here are some more examples with “very sure” used in a sentence.

I am very sure about what I want to do next. We talked about moving to another city, but I am not very sure about that whole idea. I thought a lot about what you said, and I am very sure of my decision.

These sentences are absolutely fine and you are not making any grammar mistakes by saying them like that.

 

Alternatives

Although correct, “very sure” is often not the best way of saying that you are very confident about something.

In fact, “very sure” is possibly the last thing you should say when you are wanting to empathise the word “sure”.

There are better alternatives that you should consider first before jumping at “very sure”.

I am very sure it will work. I am pretty sure it will work.

They’ve got bad reviews. I am not very sure about this hotel. They’ve got bad reviews. I am not too sure about this hotel.

‘Where’s the toilet?’ ‘I am not very sure.’ ‘Where’s the toilet?’ ‘I am not entirely sure.’

I am not very sure on that, but I think he got fired for being drunk. I am not 100% sure on that, but I think he got fired for being drunk.

I am very sure that this car is the newest model. I am quite sure that this car is the newest model.

We’re not very sure when we’re coming back. We’re not absolutely sure when we’re coming back.

Check the door is closed to be very sure sure no one can steal anything. Check the door is closed to be completely sure no one can steal anything.

We were in the middle of a forest, and not very sure how to find our way home. We were in the middle of a forest, and not at all sure how to find our way home.

As you have seen, it is possible to use “very sure”, but we rarely say it simply because there are better alternatives.

If you want to sound natural and correct, my advice to you is to ditch “very sure” and instead start using one of the examples from the tables above.