Cool MateDefinitely vs Sure as he's born
When to use each in English, with meaning, register, and examples.
Definitely
Top 1,000 (very common)A2adverb
Sure as he's born
InformalBeyond 10,000 (less common)
Most formal: DefinitelyMost common: Definitely
| Definitely | Sure as he's born | |
|---|---|---|
| Pronunciation | 🇬🇧 /["/ˈdefɪnətli/"]/🇺🇸 /["/ˈdefɪnətli/"]/ | 🇬🇧 //ʃʊə əz hiːz bɔːn//🇺🇸 //ʃʊr əz hiz bɔrn// |
| Meaning | For sure, without a doubt | certain or sure |
| Example | I definitely remember sending the letter. | I will be there tomorrow, sure as he's born. |
| Register | Neutral | Informal |
| How common | Top 1,000 (very common) | Beyond 10,000 (less common) |
| CEFR level | A2 | - |
| Part of speech | adverb | |
| Collocations | definitely agree, definitely believe, definitely know | sure as can be, sure as usual |
| Antonyms | doubtfully, uncertainly | uncertain, unlikely, doubtful |
| Common mistakes | Often confused with 'defiantly' which means resisting authority., Sometimes spelled incorrectly as 'definately'. | Using in formal writing contexts, Confusing with similar expressions like 'sure as sugar', Misplacing the phrase within sentences |
| Usage notes | Use 'definitely' to emphasize certainty. It fits well in both spoken and written English. Avoid using it in overly formal contexts where alternatives like 'certainly' might be more suitable. | Used often in spoken language, this phrase conveys strong certainty about something. It's not typically used in formal writing or situations. |
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Frequently asked questions: Definitely vs Sure as he's born
What's the difference between Definitely and Sure as he's born?
Definitely: For sure, without a doubt Sure as he's born: certain or sure
Which is more formal: Definitely and Sure as he's born?
Definitely is the most formal of these.
Which is more common: Definitely and Sure as he's born?
Definitely is the most common in everyday English.
Can you show an example of each?
Definitely: I definitely remember sending the letter. Sure as he's born: I will be there tomorrow, sure as he's born.
Can I use Definitely and Sure as he's born interchangeably?
Not always. Definitely and Sure as he's born are related and overlap in some contexts, but they differ in register, how common they are, and usage, so swapping one for another can change the meaning or tone. Check the differences above before substituting.