to be sure

Meanings

1. 1phrasefixed phraseformal

   Used to admit that something is true or fair, before presenting a contrasting or stronger point.

   Grammar: Usually placed at the start or middle of a sentence and followed by a contrast with but or yet.

   Patterns

   • To be sure, ... but ...
   • X is, to be sure, Y, but ...

   To be sure, the plan has risks, but the potential gain is large.

   The car is old, to be sure, but it runs well.

   To be sure, nobody expected a win, yet the team played brilliantly.

2. 2phrasefixed phraseold-fashionedIrish

   Used old-fashioned and in some Irish speech to mean certainly or of course.

   Grammar: Stands alone as a reply or an emphasis: to be sure, I will.

   Will you help me? To be sure I will.

   That is a fine garden, to be sure.

   To be sure, there is no harm in asking.

Common combinations

to be sure, but

To be sure, prices rose, but wages did too.

to be sure, however

The film is slow, to be sure; however, it is beautiful.

is, to be sure,

The task is, to be sure, difficult.

to be sure, there are

To be sure, there are exceptions.

to be sure, it is

To be sure, it is not perfect.

Synonyms and how they differ

admittedly

Admittedly is more common in speech and signals a concession, while to be sure sounds more formal.

granted

Granted is shorter and more casual, usually said as a single word before a contrast.

certainly

Certainly can show real certainty, while to be sure usually introduces an admission that will be balanced.

of course

Of course suggests the point is obvious, whereas to be sure suggests a deliberate concession.

Word family

sure adjective

certain or confident

surely adverb

without doubt, or used to express disbelief

ensure verb

to make certain

assure verb

to promise or tell confidently

Commonly confused: to be sure or make sure? to be sure or to be certain?

Practice

Make it your own

Write a sentence using “to be sure”, then check it and compare it with the examples above.

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