ChineseGrammarWiki/Programmes/B2.old/Grammar-wiki-B2-128.txt

{{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). 

<div class="jiegou">
肯定 + Noun / Noun Phrase
</div>

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. 

<div class="jiegou">
Subj. + (敢)肯定 + Sentences
</div>

=== Examples with 肯定 ===

<div class="liju">
* 老板 <em>肯定</em> 了 我们 团队 的 工作。<span class="trans">The boss approved our team's work.</span>
* 如果 想 让 别人 <em>肯定</em> 你，你 就 要 好好 做。<span class="trans">If you want to make other people like you, you have to do good work.</span>
* 我 敢 <em>肯定</em> 这 就 是 他 的 声音。<span class="trans">I'm sure that this is his voice.</span>
</div>

=== 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. 

<div class="jiegou">
确定 +  Phrase / Sentence
</div>

=== Examples with 确定 ===

<div class="liju">
* 我们 还 没有 <em>确定</em> 什么 时候 开始。<span class="trans">We still haven't decided when to start.</span>
* 已经 <em>确定</em>了 三 个 人，还 差 一 个。<span class="trans">Three people have already been decided, one more is needed.</span>
* 你 <em>确定</em> 他 是 我们 要 找 的 人 吗？<span class="trans">Have you decided if he's the person we'll look for?</span>
</div>

=== Examples of right or wrong sentences===

<div class="liju">
<ul>
<li class="x">我们 要 先 <em>肯定</em> 一 个 形式 才 能 开始 做。<span class="expl">In this sentence, "肯定" needs  to be followed by a noun or a noun phrase.</span> </li>
<li class="o">我们 要 先 <em>确定</em> 一 个 形式 才 能 开始 做。<span class="trans">We'll have to decide on a design before we can start working.</span> </li>
<li class="x">老板 <em>肯定</em> 了 最近 我 工作 很 努力。<span class="expl">In this sentence, "肯定" needs to be followed by a noun or noun phrase.</span> </li>
<li class="o">老板 <em>肯定</em> 了 最近 我 的 努力 工作。<span class="expl">By changing the word order, we get a noun phrase instead of a verb phrase.</span><span class="trans">The boss approved my recent hard work.</span> </li>
</ul>
</div>

== "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 ===

<div class="jiegou">
肯定 + Adj. / Verb
</div>

=== Examples with 肯定===

<div class="liju">
* 他 <em>肯定</em> 还 没 起床，因为 他 的 手机 现在 还 没 开 机。<span class="trans">He definitely hasn't gotten out of bed yet， because his phone is still off.</span>
* 这 次 我 <em>肯定</em> 不 骗 你，骗 你 是 小 狗，好 吧？<span class="expl">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.</span><span class="trans">I'm not lying this time. Cross my heart.</span>
</div>

=== Structure with  一定 ===

<div class="jiegou">
一定 + Adj. / Verb
</div>

=== Examples with 一定===

<div class="liju">
* 明天 你们 <em>一定</em> 要 来。<span class="trans">You guys are definitely going to come tomorrow.</span>
* <em>一定</em> 要 小心。<span class="trans">You've definitely got to be careful.</span>
</div>

=== Right or Wrong ===

<div class="liju">
<ul>
<li class="x">你们 <em>肯定</em> 要 去 听 我 的 演唱会。<span class="trans">Since it's a command, "肯定" is not appropriate.</span> </li>
<li class="o">你们 <em>一定</em> 要 去 听 我 的 演唱会。<span class="trans">You guys have to go listen to my music recital.</span> </li>
</ul>
</div>

== "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 ===

<div class="jiegou">
肯定 + （的 +） Noun
</div>
<div class="jiegou">
确定 + （的 +） Noun
</div>
<div class="jiegou">
一定 + （的 +） Noun
</div>

=== Examples ===

<div class="liju">
* 如果 你 问 我 是不是 知道 这 件 事情，我 的 回答 是 <em>肯定</em> 的。<span class="trans">If you ask me if I know about this, my answer will be sure.</span>
* 请 给 我 一 个 <em>确定</em> 的 回答，不 要 总是 这么 模糊。<span class="trans">Please give me a definite response. Don't always be so vague.</span>
* 我们 之间 要 保持 <em>一定</em> 距离。<span class="trans">We need to keep a certain distance between us.</span>
* 这 件 事 和 他 有 <em>一定</em> 的 关系，不 能 都 怪 你。<span class="trans">He has a certain connection with this, it can't completely surprise you.</span>
</div>

== 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 <em>肯定</em> 了 我们 团队 的 工作。你 <em>确定</em> 他 是 我们 要 找 的 人？<em>一定</em> 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}}