assured

That defeat was not costly as Fabio Capello's side went into the game already assured of their spot in South Africa, though it prevented them from finishing with 10 wins from 10.

The proposal represents an unprecedented effort to tax modern wealth, but it is far from assured.

Without a liquid market, they were not assured of being able to sell them when they wanted to, or to obtain a fair price.

They are staring down a harsh reality: Without any Republican defectors, passage of the agreement is all but assured.

Slam success seemed assured - but her serve, and her sheer desperation to win, got in the way.