Meaning & use
I'm unsure
Last updated
Meaning
phrasefixed phrase
A way of saying you lack confidence or certainty about something, or cannot decide.
Grammar: Followed by about, of, or whether: I'm unsure about the date; I'm unsure whether to go.
Patterns
- I'm unsure about something
- I'm unsure whether to do something
- I'm unsure if something is true
I'm unsure about the answer, so I will check the book.
I'm unsure whether we should leave now or wait.
I'm unsure of the way, so let me look at the map.
Common combinations
- I'm unsure about
- I'm unsure about the schedule for next week.
- I'm unsure whether
- I'm unsure whether she received the email.
- I'm unsure if
- I'm unsure if the shop is open.
- I'm still unsure
- I'm still unsure which option is best.
- I'm a little unsure
- I'm a little unsure of my plan.
Synonyms and how they differ
- I'm not sure
- I'm not sure is the more common and conversational form, while I'm unsure sounds slightly more formal.
- I'm uncertain
- I'm uncertain is more formal and often used about results or the future.
- I'm undecided
- I'm undecided is about a choice not yet made, not about doubt over facts.
- I have my doubts
- I have my doubts suggests you lean toward disbelief, whereas I'm unsure is neutral.
Opposites
Word family
- unsure adjective
- not certain or confident
- unsurely adverb
- in an uncertain manner, rare
- unsureness noun
- a feeling of doubt, rare
- sure adjective
- certain or confident
Commonly confused: I'm unsure or insure?
I'm unsure vs insure
Insure means to buy protection against loss and is not related to doubt.
Practice
Which pattern correctly follows I'm unsure?
Choose one answer.
Unsure takes about, of, or whether/if. The other prepositions do not collocate with it.
Make it your own
Write a sentence using “I'm unsure”, then check it and compare it with the examples above.