1. be certain of [about] sth 对某事有把握或感到自信。如:
He’s certain of success. 他自信会成功。
Are you certain of [about] that? 你对此有把握吗?
2. be certain to do sth 肯定会发生某事。如:
She’s certain to pass the exam. 她考试肯定会及格。
Spring is certain to follow winter. 冬季过后一定是春天。
注:该结构有时可用 I am certain that 来转换。如:
He is certain to come. / I am certain that he will come. 他肯定会来。
3. be certain of doing sth 确信会发生某事。如:
He is certain of winning the match. 他确信能赢这场比赛。
注:该结构有时可与后接 that 从句的句型转换。如:
He is certain of passing the exam. / He is certain that hecan pass the exam. 她确信考试会及格。
4. for certain 有把握,肯定地。如:
I don’t know for certain. 我知道得不确切。
I can’t say for certain when he will come. 我不敢肯定地说他什么时候来。
5. make certain 弄清楚,弄得有把握,核实。如:
(1) 单独使用。如:
I think the train leaves at six o’clock but you ought to make certain. 我想火车是六点开吧,但你应该查清楚。
(2) 后接 that 从句。如:
Make certain (that) you know what time the train leaves. 你要弄清楚火车开出的确切时间。
(3) 后接 of 短语。如:
You must make certain of the date of the meeting. 你必须把开会的日期弄清楚。
We went to the theatre early and made certain of getting seats. 我们去戏院很早,以便可弄到座位。
注:有时以上各结构可互相转换。如:
Make certain of his safe arrival. / Make certain that he arrived safe. 弄清楚他是否安全抵达了。