Cool MateEnsure vs Make sure
When to use each in English, with meaning, register, and examples.
Ensure
Top 2,000 (common)B2verb
Make sure
Top 1,000 (very common)
Most common: Make sure
| Ensure | Make sure | |
|---|---|---|
| Pronunciation | 🇬🇧 /["/ɪnˈʃʊə(r)//ɪnˈʃɔː(r)/","/ɪnˈʃʊəz//ɪnˈʃɔːz/","/ɪnˈʃʊəd//ɪnˈʃɔːd/","/ɪnˈʃʊərɪŋ//ɪnˈʃɔːrɪŋ/"]/🇺🇸 /["/ɪnˈʃʊr/","/ɪnˈʃʊrz/","/ɪnˈʃʊrd/","/ɪnˈʃʊrɪŋ/"]/ | 🇬🇧 //meɪk ʃɔː//🇺🇸 //meɪk ʃʊr// |
| Meaning | To make sure something happens or is true. | Check that something is done or true. |
| Example | Please ensure that all doors are locked before leaving the building. | Make sure you lock the door before leaving. |
| Register | Neutral | Neutral |
| How common | Top 2,000 (common) | Top 1,000 (very 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 that, make sure to, make sure you, make sure everything, make sure it is |
| 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'. | 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 '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 '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: Ensure vs Make sure
What's the difference between Ensure and Make sure?
Ensure: To make sure something happens or is true. Make sure: Check that something is done or true.
Which is more common: Ensure and Make sure?
Make sure 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 sure: Make sure you lock the door before leaving.
Can I use Ensure and Make sure interchangeably?
Not always. Ensure 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.