Cool MateGuarantee vs Make damn sure
When to use each in English, with meaning, register, and examples.
Guarantee
Top 2,000 (common)B2verb
Make damn sure
InformalBeyond 10,000 (less common)
Most formal: GuaranteeMost common: Guarantee
| Guarantee | Make damn sure | |
|---|---|---|
| Pronunciation | 🇬🇧 /["/ˌɡærənˈtiː/","/ˌɡærənˈtiːz/","/ˌɡærənˈtiːd/","/ˌɡærənˈtiːɪŋ/"]/🇺🇸 /["/ˌɡærənˈtiː/","/ˌɡærənˈtiːz/","/ˌɡærənˈtiːd/","/ˌɡærənˈtiːɪŋ/"]/ | 🇬🇧 //meɪk dæm ʃʊə//🇺🇸 //meɪk dæm ʃʊr// |
| Meaning | A promise that something will happen or be done. | Make very certain about something |
| Example | I can guarantee that you will enjoy this movie. | 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 | absolutely, personally, constitutionally, be able to, can, be fully guaranteed, absolutely, almost, practically | make sure, make damn sure, make absolutely sure, make sure not to forget, make damn certain |
| Antonyms | doubt, uncertainty, dispute | - |
| Common mistakes | Confused with 'ensure' — 'guarantee' implies a stronger promise., Incorrectly using 'guarantee' without a direct object — always specify what is guaranteed., Mixing up 'guaranteed' as an adjective instead of a past participle. | Confusing 'make sure' and 'make damn sure' by using them interchangeably, Omitting 'damn' when emphasizing certainty, Misusing in overly formal settings |
| Usage notes | Use 'guarantee' when you want to express certainty about an outcome. It's suitable for both written and spoken English, but avoid in casual conversations where simpler words like 'promise' may suffice. | Use in casual speech or writing to emphasize certainty. Avoid in formal contexts. |
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Frequently asked questions: Guarantee vs Make damn sure
What's the difference between Guarantee and Make damn sure?
Guarantee: A promise that something will happen or be done. Make damn sure: Make very certain about something
Which is more formal: Guarantee and Make damn sure?
Guarantee is the most formal of these.
Which is more common: Guarantee and Make damn sure?
Guarantee is the most common in everyday English.
Can you show an example of each?
Guarantee: I can guarantee that you will enjoy this movie. Make damn sure: You need to make damn sure that you lock the door before leaving.
Can I use Guarantee and Make damn sure interchangeably?
Not always. Guarantee 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.