to be sure
I'll concede that
To be sure is a phrase expressing concession or acknowledgment before introducing a contrasting point: To be sure, the project had flaws, but it succeeded overall.
It functions like "admittedly" or "granted"—accepting one truth while pivoting to another.
The phrase can also mean certainly or indeed, affirming something: He was, to be sure, the finest player of his generation.
- admittedlyBy one's own acknowledgment
- to be honestPhrase preceding candor
- undoubtedlyWith total certainty
- without a doubtWith complete certainty
- certainlyWithout any doubt
no doubt · for certain · granted · naturally · absolutely · of course · make no mistake · unquestionably · beyond question · undeniably · definitely · indeed · qualification · acknowledgment · all the same · to tell the truth · confirm · verify
- conjunctionsand, but, or, for, nor
- concession phrasesadmittedly, granted, that said, in fairness, having said that
to be sureabsolutely not
Emphatic total rejection
certainly not · not at all · by no means · on the contrary · far from it
to be sureperhaps
Expressing uncertainty
maybe · I doubt it · possibly · conceivably · who knows
to be surebe that as it may
Concessive transition phrase
nevertheless · however · on the other hand · that said · not so fast
sure, secure, surely, unsure, security, assured, ensure, insure, insurance