unsure

unsure — 形容詞

1. feeling that you do not know something or cannot decide what to do because the f

1.形容詞B1
釋義

不確定

對事實或決定沒有把握

feeling that you do not know something or cannot decide what to do because the facts are not clear enough

例句

Otis was unsure whether to accept the job offer in another city.

Otis 不確定是否該接受另一個城市的工作機會。

unsure + whether + to-infinitive

Many voters remain unsure which candidate to support in the upcoming election.

許多選民仍不確定在即將到來的選舉中該支持哪位候選人。

unsure + which + wh-word + to-infinitive

同義詞
  • uncertain

    Nearly identical in meaning; uncertain can also apply to outcomes or facts (e.g. the outcome is uncertain), while unsure is more about a person's state of doubt.

  • doubtful

    Emphasizes skepticism about the truth or likelihood of something, whereas unsure focuses on personal lack of knowledge or confidence in a decision.

  • undecided

    Specifically about a choice that has not yet been made; undecided implies an active decision is pending, while unsure may refer to the feeling itself.

  • hesitant

    Describes reluctance to act, often because of fear or doubt; hesitant suggests a behavioral pause, whereas unsure is primarily a mental state.

反義詞
  • certain

    The direct opposite: having no doubt about something.

  • sure

    Very close to certain; sure is slightly less formal and more common in everyday speech.

  • confident

    Implies a stronger, more active feeling of certainty than sure or certain.

文法句型

be + unsure + whether/what/which/how + to-infinitive

be + unsure + about + noun/gerund

be + unsure + of + noun phrase

用法筆記

Commonly followed by a wh-clause (whether, what, which, how) or about + noun phrase. The that-clause is less frequent but possible (e.g. 'I am unsure that this plan will work'). Unlike the adjective uncertain, unsure rarely takes a simple noun object without a preposition.

常見錯誤

❌I'm unsure to go to the party.
✅I'm unsure whether to go to the party.
💡Unsure does not link directly to a to-infinitive; a wh-word such as whether or what is needed between them.
❌She was unsure if the package had arrived.
✅She was unsure whether the package had arrived.
💡Although if is common in speech, whether is preferred in formal writing after unsure when there is a clear choice.

2. not feeling sure about your own ability, skills, or value as a person

2.形容詞B1
釋義

沒信心

對自己的能力缺乏信心

not feeling sure about your own ability, skills, or value as a person

例句

As a new teacher, Hamza felt unsure about leading his first class discussion.

身為新老師，Hamza 對帶領第一次課堂討論感到沒信心。

unsure about + gerund phrase

After the criticism, Nora became unsure of her ability to write well.

受到批評後，Nora 對自己的寫作能力變得沒信心。

unsure of + noun phrase referring to self

同義詞
  • insecure

    Stronger and more emotional than unsure; insecure often suggests a lasting lack of self-worth rather than a temporary feeling of doubt.

  • self-doubting

    More specific to questioning one's own abilities; slightly more formal and less common in everyday speech.

  • diffident

    Formal term meaning shy or lacking confidence; diffident implies a personality trait, whereas unsure is often situational.

反義詞
  • confident

    The direct opposite: feeling sure of one's own abilities and worth.

  • self-assured

    Describes a person who is quietly and steadily confident.

  • self-confident

    Emphasizes belief in one's own skills and judgment.

文法句型

be + unsure + of + reflexive pronoun

feel/look/seem + unsure

be + unsure + about + noun/gerund

用法筆記

Subject is always a person or a group of people. Frequently constructed with a reflexive pronoun (unsure of myself/himself/themselves). Common with linking verbs such as feel, look, seem, and appear, which describe the person's outward or inner state. This sense does not take a that-clause or a wh-clause about facts.

常見錯誤

❌He is unsure of him.
✅He is unsure of himself.
💡Use the reflexive pronoun (myself, yourself, himself, herself, ourselves, themselves), not the object pronoun, when expressing self-doubt.
❌I am unsure of my job.' (trying to mean 'I lack confidence at work')
✅I am unsure of myself at work.
💡Without myself/themselves, unsure of + noun can be read as the NOT CERTAIN sense about external facts.