Sûrement, sans doute and certainement are used to express probability. With these words, something is very likely to be true.
When you are not 100% sure
- Sans doute → very likely
- Sûrement → very likely
- Certainement → even more sure, almost certain
These three words are close in meaning. The main thing to understand is that they all express an idea of strong probability.
Examples
- Il est sûrement à la maison. (He is surely at home.)
- Elle a sans doute oublié son téléphone. (She has probably forgotten her phone.)
- Le train va certainement arriver bientôt. (The train will certainly arrive soon.)
- Ils sont sûrement déjà partis. (They have surely already left.)
- Tu as sans doute raison. (You are probably right.)
- Ce restaurant est certainement fermé à cette heure-ci. (This restaurant is certainly closed at this time.)
Tip
Remember this simple idea: sans doute, sûrement and certainement mean "it is very likely".