sure

/ʃʊə(r)/ (bre, ipa) · /ʃʊr/ (ame, ipa) · /ˈshu̇r ˈshər especially Southern ˈshȯr/ (ame, mw) · /ʃɔːr/ (bre, ipa)

sure — 形容詞

  • surepositive
  • surercomparative
  • surestsuperlative

1. feeling certain about something, without any doubt or uncertainty in your mind

1.形容詞A2
釋義

確定

對某事沒有懷疑

feeling certain about something, without any doubt or uncertainty in your mind

例句

Ada was sure she had turned off the stove before leaving the house.

Ada 很確定她在出門前把瓦斯爐關掉了。

be sure + that-clause for certainty about an action

The tour guide seemed sure of the path even in the thick fog.

即使在大霧中，那位導遊似乎也很確定路線。

be sure of + noun phrase for confidence in knowledge

同義詞
  • certain

    more formal than 'sure'; 'certain' sounds more objective

  • confident

    emphasises belief in one's own ability rather than factual certainty

  • positive

    stronger emphasis; 'I'm positive' means no doubt at all

反義詞
  • unsure

    direct opposite; uncertain or doubtful

  • doubtful

    suggests suspicion that something is not true or right

文法句型

be sure + of/about + noun phrase

be sure + (that) + clause

用法筆記

Often used in questions and negative statements to express hesitation or seek confirmation. The that-clause can omit 'that' in informal speech.

常見錯誤

❌I am surely that the door is locked.
✅I am sure that the door is locked.
💡'sure' is an adjective here, not an adverb; use 'sure' after 'be'.

2. used to say that a fact or situation is definitely true, with no possibility of

2.形容詞B1
釋義

無疑

毫無疑問地確實

used to say that a fact or situation is definitely true, with no possibility of being wrong

例句

One thing is sure — the price of fresh eggs will go up again.

有一件事是肯定的——新鮮雞蛋的價格還會再漲。

one thing is sure — [statement] for emphasizing an obvious fact

It is sure to rain later this afternoon, so please bring an umbrella.

今天下午肯定會下雨，所以請帶把傘。

be sure to + verb for inevitable events

同義詞
  • certain

    interchangeable in impersonal constructions ('it is certain that...')

  • inevitable

    stronger; suggests something cannot be avoided, not just predicted

  • bound

    follows the same pattern ('bound to happen') but slightly less formal

反義詞

文法句型

one thing is sure: [statement]

It is sure to + verb

用法筆記

This sense typically uses an impersonal subject ('it', 'one thing', 'that much') rather than a person. 'It is sure to…' expresses strong prediction about future events.

常見錯誤

❌He is sure to be the new manager by next month.' (ambiguous — could mean 'confident' or 'destined')
✅It is sure that he will be the new manager.' or 'He is certain to become the new manager.
💡to avoid confusion between sense 1 (confident) and sense 2 (destined), rephrase with 'it' or 'certain'.

3. having more confidence than is wise, so that you may become careless or come acr

3.形容詞B2
釋義

過於自信

太過確信而忽略風險

having more confidence than is wise, so that you may become careless or come across as arrogant

例句

Dario was sure he could finish the marathon in under three hours.

Dario 很篤定自己能在三小時內跑完馬拉松。

be sure + that-clause with overconfident nuance

The young player was too sure of his talent and stopped practising regularly.

那名年輕選手太過自信，覺得練習可有可無。

too sure of + noun phrase highlighting overconfidence

同義詞
  • overconfident

    more direct and unambiguous negative meaning

  • cocky

    informal; suggests annoying arrogance

反義詞
  • humble

    modest about one's own abilities

  • cautious

    careful and not taking unnecessary risks

文法句型

too sure of/about + noun phrase

be sure + that-clause (overconfidently)

用法筆記

This sense carries a negative or critical tone. It contrasts with sense 1 by implying that the speaker thinks the person's confidence is not justified. Often used with 'too'.

常見錯誤

❌ 'She is too sure of passing without studying, but she failed.' (correct but the pattern can be confused with sense 1) — Use 'overconfident' directly for clarity: 'She was overconfident about passing and failed.'

4. confident that a particular belief or opinion about someone or something is corr

4.形容詞A2
釋義

相信

堅信某事為真或正確

confident that a particular belief or opinion about someone or something is correct

例句

Abigail is sure that her son will do very well in the entrance exam.

Abigail 相信她的兒子在入學考試中會考得很好。

be sure + that-clause for expressing a firm belief

The mechanic was sure of the problem after listening to the strange engine noise.

那位技師聽了引擎的怪聲後，就很確定問題出在哪裡。

同義詞
  • convinced

    slightly stronger; suggests someone has persuaded you or you have reasoned it out

  • certain

    more formal and objective than 'sure'

反義詞
  • unsure

    not certain about a belief or opinion

文法句型

be sure + (that) + clause

be sure of + noun phrase

用法筆記

Distinguish from sense 1: sense 4 is specifically about holding a firm belief or opinion about a situation or person, not about factual knowledge. Frequently used with 'that' to introduce the belief.

常見錯誤

❌I'm sure to pass the exam.' (this means 'I am destined to pass,' not 'I believe I will pass.')
✅I'm sure I will pass the exam.
💡use a 'that'-clause after 'sure' for beliefs, not 'sure to'.

5. someone or something you can depend on because they are honest, work correctly,

5.形容詞B1
釋義

可靠

值得信賴且可依靠的

someone or something you can depend on because they are honest, work correctly, or do what is needed

例句

Salma is a sure friend who will never let you down in difficult times.

Salma 是位可靠的朋友，在困難時刻絕不會讓你失望。

sure + noun — attributive use for reliable people or things

The carpenter's sure hand is visible in every joint of the handmade cabinet.

那位木匠的巧手從手工櫥櫃的每個接合處都看得出來。

collocation: sure hand — skilled and reliable touch

同義詞
  • reliable

    most direct synonym; works in both attributive and predicate positions

  • dependable

    emphasises consistency over time

  • trustworthy

    focuses on honesty and integrity in people

反義詞
  • unreliable

    cannot be trusted or depended on

  • risky

    involves danger of failure rather than lack of trust

文法句型

sure + noun (e.g., sure friend, sure sign, sure way)

用法筆記

In this sense 'sure' is almost always used directly before the noun it modifies (attributive position). You cannot say 'the friend is sure' to mean reliable — that would mean the friend feels certain.

常見錯誤

❌This knife is sure.' (sounds like the knife feels certain)
✅This is a sure knife.' or 'This knife is reliable.
💡'sure' as 'trustworthy' can only go before a noun, not after 'be'.

6. so obviously going to happen or be done that there is no real question about it

6.形容詞B1
釋義

必定

一定會發生或必然如此

so obviously going to happen or be done that there is no real question about it

例句

If you keep practising every single day, improvement is sure to come.

如果你每天持續練習，進步是必然會發生的。

be sure to + verb for inevitable outcome

The new science fiction film is sure to be a big hit with young audiences.

這部新的科幻電影肯定會受到年輕觀眾的喜愛。

同義詞
  • bound to

    identical in meaning and structure

  • destined to

    suggests fate or a predetermined outcome

  • guaranteed to

    strong emphasis; sometimes used in marketing or promises

反義詞

文法句型

be sure to + infinitive

用法筆記

Only sense that uses 'sure to + infinitive' to mean 'certain to happen.' Distinguish this from sense 4 ('I am sure I will…'), where 'sure' is followed by a clause, not 'to + infinitive.'

常見錯誤

❌I am sure to finish the report by Friday.' (ambiguous — could mean 'I confidently predict' or 'I am destined to')
✅For the 'bound to' meaning: 'The report is sure to be finished by Friday.
💡use with an inanimate subject to avoid ambiguity.

7. to check something or take action so that a particular thing happens, is true, o

7.形容詞A2
釋義

確認；確保

檢查或行動以確保某事

to check something or take action so that a particular thing happens, is true, or gets done correctly

例句

Ada made sure the front door was locked before she went to bed.

Ada 在上床睡覺前確認了前門已經鎖好。

make sure + that-clause for checking an action was done

Please make sure to bring your passport to the airport check-in counter tomorrow.

明天請務必記得帶護照到機場報到櫃檯。

make sure to + verb for reminding someone

同義詞
  • ensure

    more formal; used in written and official language

  • verify

    specifically means to check and confirm, not to take action

  • confirm

    to check that something is true or has been done

文法句型

make sure + (that) + clause

make sure to + infinitive

用法筆記

This is always part of the fixed phrase 'make sure' (or 'be sure to' in imperatives). The 'that' after 'make sure' can be dropped in informal speech. For instructions, 'make sure to…' and 'be sure to…' are interchangeable.

常見錯誤

❌I made sure the door.' (missing a clause)
✅I made sure the door was locked.' or 'I made sure to lock the door.
💡'make sure' must be followed by a clause or 'to + infinitive', not a direct object.

8. having a deep, thorough, and reliable understanding or skill in a particular are

8.形容詞C1
釋義

紮實

對某領域有深入可靠的掌握

having a deep, thorough, and reliable understanding or skill in a particular area

例句

The professor has a sure grasp of ancient Greek philosophy and ethics.

那位教授對古希臘哲學與倫理學有紮實的掌握。

sure grasp of [subject] — academic collocation

After years of study, Ife has a sure understanding of traditional Chinese medicine.

經過多年的學習，Ife 對中醫有紮實的理解。

同義詞
  • thorough

    emphasises completeness rather than reliability

  • solid

    informal; describes knowledge that is well-grounded

  • masterful

    suggests expert-level skill or understanding

反義詞
  • shaky

    not firm or reliable; uncertain

文法句型

sure + knowledge/understanding/grasp/command

用法筆記

Only used before abstract nouns related to knowledge or skill (grasp, knowledge, understanding, command, instinct). Never used before concrete nouns in this sense. Primarily found in formal and academic writing.

常見錯誤

❌She has a sure English.' (incorrect — 'sure' cannot modify 'English' directly)
✅She has a sure command of English.
💡use one of the standard collocations: grasp, knowledge, understanding, command.

sure — 副詞