ENGLISH
REFERENCE

sure to do sth

fixed phr..
B1 Intermediate Oxford

fixed phr.. you use this to say that something is certain to happen or that someone will definitely do something.

fixed phr.. an adjectival phrase used to express a high degree of certainty or inevitability regarding a future action or state.


SIMPLE

It is sure to rain later today.

CONTEXTUAL

If you keep working this hard, you are sure to get a promotion soon.

COMPLEX

The implementation of such radical policies is sure to provoke a strong reaction from the local community and the press.

Usage

usually follows the verb 'to be' and is followed by an infinitive verb.

Teaching tip

contrast with 'bound to' which is more emphatic and 'likely to' which expresses lower probability; 'sure to' sounds more objective than 'I am sure that'.

Pitfall

It is sure raining.It is sure to rain.this phrase requires the full infinitive 'to' plus the base verb, not a gerund.

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