Cool MateAssure vs Ensure
When to use each in English, with meaning, register, and examples.
Assure
Top 1,000 (very common)B2verb
Ensure
Top 2,000 (common)B2verb
Most common: Assure
| Assure | Ensure | |
|---|---|---|
| Pronunciation | 🇬🇧 /["/əˈʃʊə(r)//əˈʃɔː(r)/","/əˈʃʊəz//əˈʃɔːz/","/əˈʃʊəd//əˈʃɔːd/","/əˈʃʊərɪŋ//əˈʃɔːrɪŋ/"]/🇺🇸 /["/əˈʃʊr/","/əˈʃʊrz/","/əˈʃʊrd/","/əˈʃʊrɪŋ/"]/ | 🇬🇧 /["/ɪnˈʃʊə(r)//ɪnˈʃɔː(r)/","/ɪnˈʃʊəz//ɪnˈʃɔːz/","/ɪnˈʃʊəd//ɪnˈʃɔːd/","/ɪnˈʃʊərɪŋ//ɪnˈʃɔːrɪŋ/"]/🇺🇸 /["/ɪnˈʃʊr/","/ɪnˈʃʊrz/","/ɪnˈʃʊrd/","/ɪnˈʃʊrɪŋ/"]/ |
| Meaning | To make someone feel sure about something | To make sure something happens or is true. |
| Example | I assure you that everything will be fine. | Please ensure that all doors are locked before leaving the building. |
| Register | Neutral | Neutral |
| How common | Top 1,000 (very common) | Top 2,000 (common) |
| CEFR level | B2 | B2 |
| Part of speech | verb | verb |
| Collocations | can, hasten to, of, let me assure you | practically, virtually, effectively, must, aim to, try to, an attempt to ensure something, efforts to ensure something, measures to ensure something |
| Antonyms | doubt, disprove, deny | neglect, ignore |
| Common mistakes | Confused with 'ensure' which means to make certain something happens., Using it without a direct object; 'I assure that...' is incorrect., Mixing up 'assure' with 'insure' which relates to insurance. | Confused with 'insure' which relates to insurance., Used incorrectly as a standalone verb without an object., Mispronounced as 'en-sure' instead of 'en-shur'. |
| Usage notes | Use 'assure' when you want to promise someone that something is true or will happen. It’s often used in more formal situations. Avoid using it in casual conversations where simpler verbs like 'tell' or 'say' might fit better. | Use 'ensure' when you want to guarantee an outcome or confirm safety. It's appropriate in both spoken and written contexts, though more commonly in formal writing. Avoid using 'ensure' in casual conversations where simpler words like 'make sure' might be more fitting. |
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Frequently asked questions: Assure vs Ensure
What's the difference between Assure and Ensure?
Assure: To make someone feel sure about something Ensure: To make sure something happens or is true.
Which is more common: Assure and Ensure?
Assure is the most common in everyday English.
Are Assure and Ensure the same CEFR level?
Assure: B2, Ensure: B2 on the CEFR scale.
What part of speech are Assure and Ensure?
Assure: verb, Ensure: verb.
Can you show an example of each?
Assure: I assure you that everything will be fine. Ensure: Please ensure that all doors are locked before leaving the building.
Can I use Assure and Ensure interchangeably?
Not always. Assure and Ensure are related and overlap in some contexts, but they differ in register, how common they are, and usage, so swapping one for another can change the meaning or tone. Check the differences above before substituting.