{{Grammar Box}}
If you look up 肯定 (kěndìng), 确定 (quèdìng) and 一定 (yīdìng) in the dictionary, they all have similar meanings, like "certain" or "surely." However, using them correctly in a sentence is a bit more complicated.
== Overview 概述 ==
So how are these three words words different? We can answer this question from two points of view:
1. From a "parts of speech" point of view:
* 肯定 can be a verb, an adjective and an adverb.
* 确定 can be a verb or an adjective.
* 一定 can be an adjective or an adverb.
2. From a "significance or meaning" point of view:
* 肯定 often has a subjective, energetic feel to it。 It carries meanings like 认可 (approval), 同意 (agreement), and 保证 (guarantee).
* 确定 carries a feeling of objectively describing a situation. It carries the meaning of 决定 (to decide, to resolve).
* 一定 as an adjective has really broad uses, so you need to pay attention to the specific times it's used in. As an adverb, it is often used to give a reinforcing tone.
* 肯定 and 确定 can both be verbs, but their use and meanings are different. 一定 cannot be used as a verb.
== "肯定" and "确定" as a Verb ==
=== Structure with 肯定 ===
肯定 can express that something is satisfactory (对…满意), often used when a superior evaluates subordinates. When used this way, it should be followed directly by a noun or a phrase that is acting as a noun (noun phrase).
肯定 + Noun / Noun Phrase
I can also be used to express "I am sure." When used this way it is usually a clause at the end of a sentence.
Subj. + (敢)肯定 + Sentences
=== Examples with 肯定 ===
* 老板 肯定 了 我们 团队 的 工作。The boss approved our team's work.
* 如果 想 让 别人 肯定 你，你 就 要 好好 做。If you want to make other people like you, you have to do good work.
* 我 敢 肯定 这 就 是 他 的 声音。I'm sure that this is his voice.
=== Structure with 确定 ===
You can also add a verb phrase a preposition phrase after 确定, which makes it mean that that something is already set, often used in describing a progressing condition.
确定 + Phrase / Sentence
=== Examples with 确定 ===
* 我们 还 没有 确定 什么 时候 开始。We still haven't decided when to start.
* 已经 确定了 三 个 人，还 差 一 个。Three people have already been decided, one more is needed.
* 你 确定 他 是 我们 要 找 的 人 吗？Have you decided if he's the person we'll look for?
=== Examples of right or wrong sentences===
- 我们 要 先 肯定 一 个 形式 才 能 开始 做。In this sentence, "肯定" needs to be followed by a noun or a noun phrase.
- 我们 要 先 确定 一 个 形式 才 能 开始 做。We'll have to decide on a design before we can start working.
- 老板 肯定 了 最近 我 工作 很 努力。In this sentence, "肯定" needs to be followed by a noun or noun phrase.
- 老板 肯定 了 最近 我 的 努力 工作。By changing the word order, we get a noun phrase instead of a verb phrase.The boss approved my recent hard work.
== "肯定" "一定" as an Adverb ==
肯定 and 一定 can both be adverbs, and the grammar structure for both are similar. 肯定 emphasized more of a subjective judgement or promise. 一定 sometimes carries an air of forcing something or issuing a command.
=== Structure with 肯定 ===
肯定 + Adj. / Verb
=== Examples with 肯定===
* 他 肯定 还 没 起床，因为 他 的 手机 现在 还 没 开 机。He definitely hasn't gotten out of bed yet， because his phone is still off.
* 这 次 我 肯定 不 骗 你，骗 你 是 小 狗，好 吧？The idiom "骗你是小狗" literally means "To deceive you is to be a small dog." It doesn't have a good English equivalent.I'm not lying this time. Cross my heart.
=== Structure with 一定 ===
一定 + Adj. / Verb
=== Examples with 一定===
* 明天 你们 一定 要 来。You guys are definitely going to come tomorrow.
* 一定 要 小心。You've definitely got to be careful.
=== Right or Wrong ===
- 你们 肯定 要 去 听 我 的 演唱会。Since it's a command, "肯定" is not appropriate.
- 你们 一定 要 去 听 我 的 演唱会。You guys have to go listen to my music recital.
== "肯定" "确定" "一定" as as Adjectives ==
All three of these can be placed before a noun as adjectives. But in this grammar structure, 肯定 and 确定 use their verb meanings, and 一定 as an adjective means "something particular
=== Structures ===
肯定 + （的 +） Noun
确定 + （的 +） Noun
一定 + （的 +） Noun
=== Examples ===
* 如果 你 问 我 是不是 知道 这 件 事情，我 的 回答 是 肯定 的。If you ask me if I know about this, my answer will be sure.
* 请 给 我 一 个 确定 的 回答，不 要 总是 这么 模糊。Please give me a definite response. Don't always be so vague.
* 我们 之间 要 保持 一定 距离。We need to keep a certain distance between us.
* 这 件 事 和 他 有 一定 的 关系，不 能 都 怪 你。He has a certain connection with this, it can't completely surprise you.
== See Also ==
== Sources and further reading ==
=== Books ===
*[[对外汉语教学语法释疑201例]] (肯定 vs 一定 p.180) [http://www.amazon.cn/%E7%8E%B0%E4%BB%A3%E6%B1%89%E8%AF%AD%E5%85%AB%E7%99%BE%E8%AF%8D/dp/B001198GSW/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1345693275&sr=8-1 →buy]
*[[现代汉语八百词（增订本）]] (一定 p.603) [http://www.amazon.cn/%E7%8E%B0%E4%BB%A3%E6%B1%89%E8%AF%AD%E5%85%AB%E7%99%BE%E8%AF%8D/dp/B001198GSW/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1345693275&sr=8-1 →buy]
*[[卓越汉语－公司实战篇]] (p. 5) [http://www.amazon.cn/%E5%8D%93%E8%B6%8A%E6%B1%89%E8%AF%AD-%E5%85%AC%E5%8F%B8%E5%AE%9E%E6%88%98%E7%AF%87-%E8%83%A1%E7%81%B5%E5%9D%87/dp/B003QZWQ6M/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1347863170&sr=8-1 →buy]
=== Dictionaries ===
* [[现代汉语词典（第5版）]] (肯定p.776 一定 p.1594 确定p.1136) [http://www.amazon.cn/%E7%8E%B0%E4%BB%A3%E6%B1%89%E8%AF%AD%E8%AF%8D%E5%85%B8/dp/B001B1RZCI/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1345693609&sr=8-1 →buy]
[[Category:grammar comparison]]
{{Basic Grammar|肯定|B2|肯定 vs 确定 vs 一定|老板 肯定 了 我们 团队 的 工作。你 确定 他 是 我们 要 找 的 人？一定 要 小心。|grammar point|ASGDPS0J}}
{{Rel char|确定}}
{{Rel char|一定}}
{{Used for|Describing things}}
{{Used for|Describing actions}}
{{Used for|Expressing attitude}}
{{Used for|Expressing determination}}
{{Comparison|Separate Functions}}
{{Translation|certain}}