Learn to express doubts and uncertainty in English. Learn common English phrases for daily conversation. This is the best place to start learning the English language and improving your speaking skills.
Start using phrases native English speakers use in daily conversation. Boost your English vocabulary, start speaking like a native speaker, and feel confident in any situation.
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Phrases for daily conversation
Express Doubts And Uncertainty In English
Harry
Today, we’re learning useful English phrases that you can use to quickly improve your speaking skills.
Use these advanced English phrases when you don’t know about something, or you’re not sure about something.
I don’t know about that…
Meaning: when we are not sure or uncertain about something
Examples:
Well, I don’t know about that. I always take the car. I’ll check it on the internet.
Hmm, I don’t know about that because I’m not always here. I might have to go to the office.
I’m really not sure about that…
Meaning: we’re using the word “really” to stress
Examples:
I’m really not sure about that. I want to keep this cutlery set. It was our wedding gift.
I’m really not sure about that. I don’t want to go to the airport three hours before the flight. Let’s stay local.
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I’m not 100% sure
Meaning: almost, there is just a little bit of doubt
Examples:
I’m not 100% sure, but I think I saw Michael in town today. Let’s send him a text.
I’m not 100% sure, but I think we’re going to get an extra couple of days’ holiday this year.
That’s debatable
Meaning: I might have one opinion, but you might have a different one
Example:
Well, that’s debatable. Usually, when I go on holidays, it rains, and I come home feeling more miserable than I did before I left.
Express Doubts And Uncertainty In English
I find that highly unlikely
Meaning: almost certainly that something is not going to happen
Examples:
I find it highly unlikely that he would be visiting the city without telling us.
I find it highly unlikely that the boss is going to give us two extra days’ holidays.
I have a few doubts
Meaning: we’re not so certain about something
Examples:
I have a few doubts about what to cook for the weekend.
I have a few doubts about that hotel we’ve booked. I was checking it on the internet, and the reviews are not great.
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Are you certain that would work?
Meaning: you’re not sure because you just have some doubts
Example:
– We really have to come to the market as quickly as possible. Let’s try something different.
– Are you certain that would work? We haven’t tried it before.
I’m of two minds about this
Meaning: we can’t make our minds up; either do this or do that
Example:
I’m of two minds about whether we should let David go back to that school next year. His results really haven’t improved much in the last couple of years.
Express Doubts And Uncertainty In English
It’s up in the air
Meaning: something is uncertain, often because other matters have to be decided first
Examples:
Things are up in the air at the moment at work. I don’t want to ask for that promotion. I want to make sure that I’ve got a job first of all.
That’s a bit up in the air at the moment. First of all, she has to get the right marks.
I want to sleep on it
Meaning: you don’t want to make an immediate or instant decision
Examples:
Just leave it with me. I want to sleep on it for a few days and give you my considered opinion later.
Don’t put me under pressure. I’ll make my decision, but I want to sleep on it.
So here you have 10 useful phrases to express doubts and uncertainty in English. Let me go through them one more time.
- I don’t know about that
- I’m really not sure
- I’m not 100% sure
- Hmm, that’s debatable
- I find that highly unlikely
- I have a few doubts
- Are you certain that would work?
- I’m of two minds about it
- It’s up in the air
- I want to sleep on it
Try them out if any problems come back to me, you’ll get me on www.englishlessonviaskype.com Always happy to hear from you. And as always, I’m delighted you’ve watched and you listened and join me again soon.
speak better English with Harry podcast- episode 420
more information
For more information on English grammar rules, English collocations and English idioms, check out the links below:
English expressions about SUCCESS
English idioms related to DREAMS
You can always study English advanced level at Learning English with the BBC and British Council Learn English.
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