A: This cheese is as hard as a rock. It must have been in the fridge for weeks.

    B: Without a doubt.

    Note: This phrase expresses certainty or agreement. No one is certain when the expression “without a doubt” originated, but the English word “doubt” originated in the 13th century as a reference to the 11th century Old French “doter” which in turn was taken from the latin “dubitare.” It is likely that as long as people have had doubt or wavering opinions, there has been some form of negating expression such as the “without a doubt” we use today. A stronger form of the phrase is “without a shadow of a doubt” and “beyond the shadow of a doubt,” which means “without the smallest amount of doubt.” For example: I am certain that I am right, without a shadow of a doubt.