SURE

I. adjective (~r; ~st) Etymology: Middle English seur, ~, from Anglo-French seur, from Latin securus secure Date: 13th century safe from danger or harm, firmly established ; steadfast , reliable , trustworthy , 4. marked by or given to feelings of confident certainty , characterized by a lack of wavering or hesitation , admitting of no doubt ; indisputable , 6. bound to happen ; inevitable , bound , destined , careful to remember, attend to, or find out something , ~ness noun Synonyms: see: ~ II. adverb Date: 14th century ~ly , Usage: Most commentators consider the adverb ~ to be something less than completely standard; ~ly is usually recommended as a substitute. Our current evidence shows, however, that ~ and ~ly have become differentiated in use. Sure is used in much more informal contexts than ~ly. It is used as a simple intensive and, because it connotes strong affirmation, it is used when the speaker or writer expects to be agreed with . Surely, like ~, is used as a simple intensive but it occurs in more formal contexts than ~. Unlike ~ it may be used neutrally—the reader or hearer may or may not agree and it is often used when the writer is trying to persuade .