Cool MateConfirm vs Make sure
When to use each in English, with meaning, register, and examples.
Confirm
Top 2,000 (common)B1verb
Make sure
Top 1,000 (very common)
Most common: Make sure
| Confirm | Make sure | |
|---|---|---|
| Pronunciation | 🇬🇧 //kənˈfɜːm//🇺🇸 //kənˈfɜrm// | 🇬🇧 //meɪk ʃɔː//🇺🇸 //meɪk ʃʊr// |
| Meaning | To say that something is true or to make sure of it. | Check that something is done or true. |
| Example | Can you confirm the time for the meeting tomorrow? | Make sure you lock the door before leaving. |
| Register | Neutral | Neutral |
| How common | Top 2,000 (common) | Top 1,000 (very common) |
| CEFR level | B1 | - |
| Part of speech | verb | |
| Collocations | confirm a reservation, confirm an appointment, confirm information, confirm a hypothesis, confirm results | make sure that, make sure to, make sure you, make sure everything, make sure it is |
| Antonyms | deny, disprove, reject | - |
| Common mistakes | Confused with 'affirm' which is more formal., Using 'confirm' without an object in sentences., Incorrectly assuming 'confirmed' is always followed by a date. | Using 'make sure' without a clause, e.g., 'Make sure.' instead of 'Make sure it's correct.', Confusing 'make sure' with 'ensure'; they are similar but 'ensure' is more formal., Omitting the subject in sentences, e.g., 'Make sure you're prepared.' instead of 'You need to make sure you're prepared.' |
| Usage notes | Use 'confirm' in both formal and informal contexts, such as meetings or casual conversations. It's appropriate when verifying information or giving approval. | Use 'make sure' in everyday conversation to emphasize confirmation. It's appropriate in both casual and professional settings but avoid overly formal contexts. |
Frequently asked questions: Confirm vs Make sure
What's the difference between Confirm and Make sure?
Confirm: To say that something is true or to make sure of it. Make sure: Check that something is done or true.
Which is more common: Confirm and Make sure?
Make sure is the most common in everyday English.
Can you show an example of each?
Confirm: Can you confirm the time for the meeting tomorrow? Make sure: Make sure you lock the door before leaving.
Can I use Confirm and Make sure interchangeably?
Not always. Confirm and Make sure 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.