sure
sure — adjective
1. feeling certain about something, without any doubt or uncertainty in your mind
feeling certain about something, without any doubt or uncertainty in your mind
Ada was sure she had turned off the stove before leaving the house.
be sure + that-clause for certainty about an action
The tour guide seemed sure of the path even in the thick fog.
be sure of + noun phrase for confidence in knowledge
Vikram is not sure about his travel plans for the summer yet.
Are you sure that this train goes all the way to Taipei Station?
Ife felt sure of winning the chess match after the very first move.
文法句型
be sure + of/about + noun phrase
be sure + (that) + clause
用法筆記
Often used in questions and negative statements to express hesitation or seek confirmation. The that-clause can omit 'that' in informal speech.
常見錯誤
2. used to say that a fact or situation is definitely true, with no possibility of
used to say that a fact or situation is definitely true, with no possibility of being wrong
One thing is sure — the price of fresh eggs will go up again.
one thing is sure — [statement] for emphasizing an obvious fact
It is sure to rain later this afternoon, so please bring an umbrella.
be sure to + verb for inevitable events
The final result is not yet sure, but the early signs look good.
As sure as night follows day, the landlord raised the rent again.
Kabir says he will finish the project by Friday, and that much is sure.
- certain
interchangeable in impersonal constructions ('it is certain that...')
- inevitable
stronger; suggests something cannot be avoided, not just predicted
- bound
follows the same pattern ('bound to happen') but slightly less formal
- uncertain
not yet known or definite
文法句型
one thing is sure: [statement]
It is sure to + verb
用法筆記
This sense typically uses an impersonal subject ('it', 'one thing', 'that much') rather than a person. 'It is sure to…' expresses strong prediction about future events.
常見錯誤
3. having more confidence than is wise, so that you may become careless or come acr
having more confidence than is wise, so that you may become careless or come across as arrogant
Dario was sure he could finish the marathon in under three hours.
be sure + that-clause with overconfident nuance
The young player was too sure of his talent and stopped practising regularly.
too sure of + noun phrase highlighting overconfidence
Elena felt sure her plan would work, but she had missed a key detail.
Being too sure of yourself can sometimes lead to expensive mistakes.
- overconfident
more direct and unambiguous negative meaning
- cocky
informal; suggests annoying arrogance
文法句型
too sure of/about + noun phrase
be sure + that-clause (overconfidently)
用法筆記
This sense carries a negative or critical tone. It contrasts with sense 1 by implying that the speaker thinks the person's confidence is not justified. Often used with 'too'.
常見錯誤
❌ 'She is too sure of passing without studying, but she failed.' (correct but the pattern can be confused with sense 1) — Use 'overconfident' directly for clarity: 'She was overconfident about passing and failed.'
4. confident that a particular belief or opinion about someone or something is corr
confident that a particular belief or opinion about someone or something is correct
Abigail is sure that her son will do very well in the entrance exam.
be sure + that-clause for expressing a firm belief
The mechanic was sure of the problem after listening to the strange engine noise.
Henrik is sure that hard work matters more than luck in the long run.
Yara says she is sure the package will arrive before Friday afternoon.
Are you sure you want to give up your job and travel the world alone?
- unsure
not certain about a belief or opinion
文法句型
be sure + (that) + clause
be sure of + noun phrase
用法筆記
Distinguish from sense 1: sense 4 is specifically about holding a firm belief or opinion about a situation or person, not about factual knowledge. Frequently used with 'that' to introduce the belief.
常見錯誤
5. someone or something you can depend on because they are honest, work correctly,
someone or something you can depend on because they are honest, work correctly, or do what is needed
Salma is a sure friend who will never let you down in difficult times.
sure + noun — attributive use for reliable people or things
The carpenter's sure hand is visible in every joint of the handmade cabinet.
collocation: sure hand — skilled and reliable touch
There is no sure way to predict the weather more than a week ahead.
The hotel built a sure reputation for clean rooms and very fair prices.
A sure sign of spring is when the cherry trees begin to bloom.
- reliable
most direct synonym; works in both attributive and predicate positions
- dependable
emphasises consistency over time
- trustworthy
focuses on honesty and integrity in people
- unreliable
cannot be trusted or depended on
- risky
involves danger of failure rather than lack of trust
文法句型
sure + noun (e.g., sure friend, sure sign, sure way)
用法筆記
In this sense 'sure' is almost always used directly before the noun it modifies (attributive position). You cannot say 'the friend is sure' to mean reliable — that would mean the friend feels certain.
常見錯誤
6. so obviously going to happen or be done that there is no real question about it
so obviously going to happen or be done that there is no real question about it
If you keep practising every single day, improvement is sure to come.
be sure to + verb for inevitable outcome
The new science fiction film is sure to be a big hit with young audiences.
A broken leg is sure to keep a player off the field for many weeks.
That old wooden bridge is sure to fall down in the next big storm.
Soraya is sure to win the baking contest — her chocolate cake is excellent.
- bound to
identical in meaning and structure
- destined to
suggests fate or a predetermined outcome
- guaranteed to
strong emphasis; sometimes used in marketing or promises
- unlikely to
probably not going to happen
文法句型
be sure to + infinitive
用法筆記
Only sense that uses 'sure to + infinitive' to mean 'certain to happen.' Distinguish this from sense 4 ('I am sure I will…'), where 'sure' is followed by a clause, not 'to + infinitive.'
常見錯誤
7. to check something or take action so that a particular thing happens, is true, o
to check something or take action so that a particular thing happens, is true, or gets done correctly
Ada made sure the front door was locked before she went to bed.
make sure + that-clause for checking an action was done
Please make sure to bring your passport to the airport check-in counter tomorrow.
make sure to + verb for reminding someone
The night-shift nurse made sure each patient had taken their bedtime medicine.
Eric made sure all the office lights were switched off before leaving at night.
Make sure you set an alarm so you do not miss the early morning train.
文法句型
make sure + (that) + clause
make sure to + infinitive
用法筆記
This is always part of the fixed phrase 'make sure' (or 'be sure to' in imperatives). The 'that' after 'make sure' can be dropped in informal speech. For instructions, 'make sure to…' and 'be sure to…' are interchangeable.
常見錯誤
8. having a deep, thorough, and reliable understanding or skill in a particular are
having a deep, thorough, and reliable understanding or skill in a particular area
The professor has a sure grasp of ancient Greek philosophy and ethics.
sure grasp of [subject] — academic collocation
After years of study, Ife has a sure understanding of traditional Chinese medicine.
A sure knowledge of grammar rules helps you write more clearly and correctly.
Tanvi's sure command of three languages impressed the job interview panel.
- shaky
not firm or reliable; uncertain
文法句型
sure + knowledge/understanding/grasp/command
用法筆記
Only used before abstract nouns related to knowledge or skill (grasp, knowledge, understanding, command, instinct). Never used before concrete nouns in this sense. Primarily found in formal and academic writing.
常見錯誤
sure — adverb
1. used informally to strongly emphasise what you are saying, meaning 'certainly' o
used informally to strongly emphasise what you are saying, meaning 'certainly' or 'definitely'
"That dinner was absolutely delicious!" — "Sure was! I really enjoyed it."
short response: Sure + [auxiliary] — informal confirmation
I sure hope the sunny weather stays nice for the picnic this weekend.
Rachel sure knows how to tell a funny story that makes everyone laugh.
You sure picked a great day to visit the beach — the water is warm today.
- surely
standard form; used in both formal and informal contexts
- certainly
more formal; works in all registers
- definitely
strong emphasis; used in speech and writing
文法句型
sure + verb
Sure + [auxiliary] + [pronoun]!
用法筆記
This adverb use of 'sure' (without -ly) is informal and mainly found in American English. In formal writing and British English, 'surely' is preferred. Unlike 'surely' (which can express doubt), 'sure' as an intensifier expresses full conviction.
常見錯誤
2. said as a friendly reply when someone thanks you, meaning 'you are welcome' or '
said as a friendly reply when someone thanks you, meaning 'you are welcome' or 'no problem'
"Thanks for helping me move this sofa!" — "Sure, no problem at all."
"Sure, no problem" — common informal reply to thanks
"I really appreciate your advice about the job interview." — "Sure, happy to help."
"Thank you for giving me a ride home from the station tonight." — "Sure, anytime."
"Thanks for picking up the groceries on your way back from work." — "Sure thing!"
- you're welcome
neutral and appropriate for all situations
- no problem
same register; common in American and British English
- my pleasure
slightly more formal and polite
文法句型
"Sure."
"Sure thing." as reply to "Thank you"
用法筆記
This is one of the most common informal responses to thanks in American English. 'Sure' alone can sound casual; 'sure thing' is warmer. For very formal situations, 'you're welcome' is still preferred.