Cool MateEnsure vs Make sure to feed him
When to use each in English, with meaning, register, and examples.
Ensure
Top 2,000 (common)B2verb
Make sure to feed him
Top 2,000 (common)
| Ensure | Make sure to feed him | |
|---|---|---|
| Pronunciation | 🇬🇧 /["/ɪnˈʃʊə(r)//ɪnˈʃɔː(r)/","/ɪnˈʃʊəz//ɪnˈʃɔːz/","/ɪnˈʃʊəd//ɪnˈʃɔːd/","/ɪnˈʃʊərɪŋ//ɪnˈʃɔːrɪŋ/"]/🇺🇸 /["/ɪnˈʃʊr/","/ɪnˈʃʊrz/","/ɪnˈʃʊrd/","/ɪnˈʃʊrɪŋ/"]/ | 🇬🇧 //meɪk ʃʊə tə fiːd hɪm//🇺🇸 //meɪk ʃʊr tə fid hɪm// |
| Meaning | To make sure something happens or is true. | Check that he gets food. |
| Example | Please ensure that all doors are locked before leaving the building. | Make sure to feed him at the right time every day. |
| Register | Neutral | Neutral |
| How common | Top 2,000 (common) | Top 2,000 (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 to check, make sure you do, make sure it's done |
| 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'. | Omitting 'to', saying 'make sure feed him', Confusing 'make sure' with 'ensure', Using 'make sure' in contexts requiring more formality |
| 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. | Used when instructing someone to ensure an action is done. Suitable for everyday conversation; avoid in formal writing. |
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Frequently asked questions: Ensure vs Make sure to feed him
What's the difference between Ensure and Make sure to feed him?
Ensure: To make sure something happens or is true. Make sure to feed him: Check that he gets food.
Can you show an example of each?
Ensure: Please ensure that all doors are locked before leaving the building. Make sure to feed him: Make sure to feed him at the right time every day.
Can I use Ensure and Make sure to feed him interchangeably?
Not always. Ensure and Make sure to feed him 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.