English · Natural expressions
How to express uncertainty in English
Separate what you know from what you think might be true. A tentative belief, a possibility, or an invitation to check lets the other person judge the information appropriately.
Pakka nahi pata ho to seedha kahein. Jitna jaante hain aur jahan doubt hai, unhe saaf rakhein.
Choose the expression that fits
Expression 1
I think it starts at nine.
मुझे लगता है कि यह नौ बजे शुरू होता है।
mujhe lagta hai ki yah nau baje shuru hota hai.
Give a likely start time while marking it as your belief.
Expression 2
It might be closed today.
शायद आज यह बंद हो।
shaayad aaj yah band ho.
Mention a possibility rather than claiming that the shop is definitely closed.
Expression 3
I'm not certain. Could we check?
मुझे यकीन नहीं है। क्या हम जाँच सकते हैं?
mujhe yakeen nahi hai. kya ham jaanch sakte hain?
State uncertainty directly and suggest verification.
What to watch for
“I'm not sure” marks uncertainty. “As far as I know” limits a statement to your current knowledge. Choose the phrase that honestly matches how much you know.
See it in a short conversation
Recalling an event's start time
Partner
What time does it start?
Show Hindi meaning
यह कितने बजे शुरू होता है?
yah kitne baje shuru hota hai?
You
I think it starts at nine.
Show Hindi meaning
मुझे लगता है कि यह नौ बजे शुरू होता है।
mujhe lagta hai ki yah nau baje shuru hota hai.
Checking whether a shop is open
Partner
Is the shop open today?
Show Hindi meaning
क्या आज दुकान खुली है?
kya aaj dukaan khuli hai?
You
It might be closed today.
Show Hindi meaning
शायद आज यह बंद हो।
shaayad aaj yah band ho.
Your turn
You are not certain about a detail. Say so and ask whether you can check it together.
Reveal sample reply
I'm not certain. Could we check?
मुझे यकीन नहीं है। क्या हम जाँच सकते हैं?
mujhe yakeen nahi hai. kya ham jaanch sakte hain?
