Cool MateEnsure vs Make damn sure
When to use each in English, with meaning, register, and examples.
Ensure
Top 2,000 (common)B2verb
Make damn sure
InformalBeyond 10,000 (less common)
Most formal: EnsureMost common: Ensure
| Ensure | Make damn sure | |
|---|---|---|
| Pronunciation | 🇬🇧 /["/ɪnˈʃʊə(r)//ɪnˈʃɔː(r)/","/ɪnˈʃʊəz//ɪnˈʃɔːz/","/ɪnˈʃʊəd//ɪnˈʃɔːd/","/ɪnˈʃʊərɪŋ//ɪnˈʃɔːrɪŋ/"]/🇺🇸 /["/ɪnˈʃʊr/","/ɪnˈʃʊrz/","/ɪnˈʃʊrd/","/ɪnˈʃʊrɪŋ/"]/ | 🇬🇧 //meɪk dæm ʃʊə//🇺🇸 //meɪk dæm ʃʊr// |
| Meaning | To make sure something happens or is true. | Make very certain about something |
| Example | Please ensure that all doors are locked before leaving the building. | You need to make damn sure that you lock the door before leaving. |
| Register | Neutral | Informal |
| How common | Top 2,000 (common) | Beyond 10,000 (less common) |
| CEFR level | B2 | - |
| Part of speech | verb | |
| Collocations | practically, virtually, effectively, must, aim to, try to, an attempt to ensure something, efforts to ensure something, measures to ensure something | make sure, make damn sure, make absolutely sure, make sure not to forget, make damn certain |
| Antonyms | neglect, ignore | - |
| Common mistakes | Confused with 'insure' which relates to insurance., Used incorrectly as a standalone verb without an object., Mispronounced as 'en-sure' instead of 'en-shur'. | Confusing 'make sure' and 'make damn sure' by using them interchangeably, Omitting 'damn' when emphasizing certainty, Misusing in overly formal settings |
| Usage notes | 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. | Use in casual speech or writing to emphasize certainty. Avoid in formal contexts. |
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Frequently asked questions: Ensure vs Make damn sure
What's the difference between Ensure and Make damn sure?
Ensure: To make sure something happens or is true. Make damn sure: Make very certain about something
Which is more formal: Ensure and Make damn sure?
Ensure is the most formal of these.
Which is more common: Ensure and Make damn sure?
Ensure is the most common in everyday English.
Can you show an example of each?
Ensure: Please ensure that all doors are locked before leaving the building. Make damn sure: You need to make damn sure that you lock the door before leaving.
Can I use Ensure and Make damn sure interchangeably?
Not always. Ensure and Make damn 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.