Cool MateMake sure vs Verify
When to use each in English, with meaning, register, and examples.
Make sure
Top 1,000 (very common)
Verify
FormalTop 2,000 (common)C1verb
Most formal: VerifyMost common: Make sure
| Make sure | Verify | |
|---|---|---|
| Pronunciation | 🇬🇧 //meɪk ʃɔː//🇺🇸 //meɪk ʃʊr// | 🇬🇧 //ˈverɪfaɪ//🇺🇸 //ˈvɛrəˌfaɪ// |
| Meaning | Check that something is done or true. | To check if something is true or correct. |
| Example | Make sure you lock the door before leaving. | The accountant will verify all financial statements before the audit. |
| Register | Neutral | Formal |
| How common | Top 1,000 (very common) | Top 2,000 (common) |
| CEFR level | - | C1 |
| Part of speech | verb | |
| Collocations | make sure that, make sure to, make sure you, make sure everything, make sure it is | verify information, verify results, verify identity |
| Antonyms | - | falsify, disprove, reject |
| Common mistakes | 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.' | Confused with 'verify' as a noun, should only be used as a verb., Using 'verify' with incorrect prepositions, e.g., 'verify to' instead of 'verify against'. |
| Usage notes | Use 'make sure' in everyday conversation to emphasize confirmation. It's appropriate in both casual and professional settings but avoid overly formal contexts. | Used in formal contexts, especially in legal, academic, or technical settings. Not common in everyday conversation. |
Frequently asked questions: Make sure vs Verify
What's the difference between Make sure and Verify?
Make sure: Check that something is done or true. Verify: To check if something is true or correct.
Which is more formal: Make sure and Verify?
Verify is the most formal of these.
Which is more common: Make sure and Verify?
Make sure is the most common in everyday English.
Can you show an example of each?
Make sure: Make sure you lock the door before leaving. Verify: The accountant will verify all financial statements before the audit.
Can I use Make sure and Verify interchangeably?
Not always. Make sure and Verify 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.