for sure vs sure :

for sure or sure

In casual speech, when you agree with somebody’s statement, you may say “for sure.” Your date says ”That was outstanding tiramisu.” and you, wanting to show how in tune you are, reply “For sure!” You can also use the phrase to mean “for certain,” as in “I couldn’t tell for sure that the bench was wet until I sat on it.”But people often substitute this phrase when they should use plain old “sure,” as in “I couldn’t be for sure.” That should be “I couldn’t be sure.”

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Definitions

  • s  not open to doubt; that was for sure"
  • r  definitely or positively (`sure' is sometimes used informally for `surely')

  • a  having or feeling no doubt or uncertainty; confident and assured
    was sure (or certain) she had seen it
    was very sure in his beliefs
    sure of her friends
  • s  exercising or taking care great enough to bring assurance
    be sure to lock the doors
  • a  certain to occur; destined or inevitable
    sudden but sure regret
    he is sure to win
  • s  physically secure or dependable
    a sure footing
    was on sure ground
  • s  reliable in operation or effect
    a sure way to distinguish the two
    wood dust is a sure sign of termites
  • s  (of persons) worthy of trust or confidence
    a sure (or trusted) friend
  • s  infallible or unfailing
    a sure (or true) sign of one's commitment
  • s  certain not to fail
    a sure hand on the throttle
  • s  impossible to doubt or dispute
    indisputable (or sure) proof
  • r  definitely or positively (`sure' is sometimes used informally for `surely')
    the results are surely encouraging
    it's going to be a good day for sure
    they thought he had been killed sure enough
    he'll win sure as shooting
    they sure smell good
    sure he'll come
News & Articles

  • Dollar Action Could be Foreshadowing Bernanke Comments
    Wednesday’s marquee market event comes in the form of Federal Reserve Chairman Ben Bernanke’s congressional testimony. No one knows for sure what the Fed chief will say, but still fresh on the minds of ...
    July 17, 2013 - ETF Trends via Yahoo! Finance
  • Local Sports
    MILROY - One thing is for sure about the Mifflin County Babe Ruth 14-year-old all stars: They put up some big numbers in the pitching and defense department.
    July 17, 2013 - The Lewistown Sentinel
  • 2013 U.S. Open: Rory McIlroy plans aggressive attack on soggy Merion Golf Club
    For sure, Merion will offer a challenge, but it’s one McIlroy will enjoy far more than he did that of San Francisco’s Olympic Club, where he missed the cut in an unsuccessful defense of his first major title.
    June 12, 2013 - Philly.com

  • Moss has 2 HRs, Straily pitches A's past Yanks 5-2
    OAKLAND, Calif. (AP) -- Sure, Brandon Moss would like to have more than five hits in his last 40 at-bats. It's not so bad, though, considering all five have cleared the fences.
    June 13, 2013 - The Associated Press via Yahoo! Sports
  • US Open Golf Predictions 2013: Notable Names Sure to Be Out of Contention Early
    As sure as the sun rises in the east and sets in the west, there will be some shockingly bad scores posted by notable players in the first round of the 2013 U.S. Open.  It happens four times a year. You pull up the leaderboard while at work on a Thursday to see how the field is shaping up only to discover that a few of the world's top golfers have managed to shoot themselves out of the ...
    June 13, 2013 - Bleacher Report
  • Do preschoolers deserve graduation?
    Sure, the audience at Harvard University's commencement ceremony was treated to a speech from Oprah Winfrey, and grads at other colleges got to hear life lessons from a who's who of politicians, scientists and artists.
    June 13, 2013 - CNN