Kenneth G. Wilson (1923\u2013). The Columbia Guide to Standard American English. 1993.<\/p>\n
Doubtless can be an adjective meaning \u201cfree of doubt,\u201d but it is relatively rare: He is doubtless and fearless when he begins his performance. Doubtless is also an adverb, as are all the other locutions in this entry; all mean \u201cprobably,\u201d \u201ccertainly,\u201d or \u201cabsolutely.\u201d Doubtless and doubtlessly (which is rare and often considered clumsy since the flat adverb doubtless is available too) may not always sound very certain; they usually express the sense of \u201cprobably, very likely.\u201d No doubt is perhaps a bit stronger, but not quite certain in some contexts; in others it shares the force of undoubtedly. Undoubtedly and without doubt are stronger; they express certainty. Indubitably and unquestionably are the most forceful of all. They express dead certainty, leaving not the shadow of a doubt. Try each of them in place of doubtless in this sentence for an idea of the gradations: It will doubtless rain this afternoon.<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"
Kenneth G. Wilson (1923\u2013). The Columbia Guide to Standard American English. 1993. Doubtless can be an adjective meaning \u201cfree of doubt,\u201d but it is relatively rare: He is doubtless and fearless when he begins his performance. Doubtless is also an … Continue reading