Meaning & use
beyond doubt
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Meanings
phrasefixed phrase
In a way that leaves no possibility of being wrong or disbelieved.
Grammar: Used after a verb such as be, prove, or know, and often written as 'beyond doubt' without 'a' or 'the'.
Patterns
- be beyond doubt
- prove something beyond doubt
- know something beyond doubt
The evidence proves beyond doubt that he was at the scene.
Her honesty is beyond doubt; nobody questions it.
We knew beyond doubt that the deal had failed.
phrasefixed phrase
Used to say that something is certainly true, especially when agreeing strongly.
Grammar: Often stands at the start or end of a sentence as a comment on the whole statement, like 'without doubt'.
Patterns
- beyond doubt, ...
- ... , beyond doubt
Beyond doubt, this is the best meal I have had all year.
He is the fastest runner in the school, beyond doubt.
Common combinations
- prove beyond doubt
- The video proved beyond doubt who started the fight.
- beyond reasonable doubt
- In court, guilt must be shown beyond reasonable doubt.
- beyond all doubt
- Her talent was beyond all doubt after that performance.
- know beyond doubt
- I know beyond doubt that she kept her promise.
- beyond doubt the best
- This is beyond doubt the best hotel in town.
Synonyms and how they differ
- certainly
- A simple adverb meaning 'for sure'; it fits everyday speech, while 'beyond doubt' sounds stronger and more formal.
- undoubtedly
- Means 'without any doubt' and usually sits before a verb or adjective; 'beyond doubt' often follows the verb instead.
- indisputably
- Very formal and mostly written; 'beyond doubt' is more common in speech and works after 'prove' or 'know'.
Opposites
Word family
- doubt noun
- A feeling of not being sure about something.
- doubtful adjective
- Not sure, or unlikely to be true.
- undoubtedly adverb
- Without any doubt; certainly.
Commonly confused: beyond doubt or without doubt? beyond doubt or no doubt?
beyond doubt vs without doubt
This phrase means 'certainly' and is a close synonym, but it cannot replace 'beyond doubt' after 'prove' or 'know' in the fixed pattern 'prove something beyond doubt'.
beyond doubt vs no doubt
Usually means 'probably' or 'I suppose', which is weaker than 'beyond doubt'; saying 'no doubt he is guilty' suggests you assume it, not that it is certain.
Practice
The fingerprints proved ___ doubt that she had opened the safe.
Choose one answer.
'Beyond doubt' is the fixed phrase meaning 'with no possibility of error'. 'Without doubt' is also correct English but means 'certainly' as a comment, and it does not fit the pattern 'prove something ___ doubt' as naturally as 'beyond'.
Make it your own
Write a sentence using “beyond doubt”, then check it and compare it with the examples above.