transcription, транскрипция: [ sɜ:(r)t(ə)nli ]
Frequency: The word is one of the 1500 most common words in English.
1.
You use certainly to emphasize what you are saying when you are making a statement.
The bombs are almost certainly part of a much bigger conspiracy...
Today’s inflation figure is certainly too high...
Certainly, pets can help children develop friendship skills.
= undoubtedly
ADV : ADV with cl / group [ emphasis ]
2.
You use certainly when you are agreeing with what someone has said.
‘In any case you remained friends.’—‘Certainly.’...
‘You keep out of their way don’t you?’—‘I certainly do.’
ADV : ADV as reply
3.
You say certainly not when you want to say ‘no’ in a strong way.
‘Perhaps it would be better if I withdrew altogether.’—‘Certainly not!’
ADV as reply [ emphasis ]