Cool MateAssure vs Make damn sure
When to use each in English, with meaning, register, and examples.
Assure
Top 1,000 (very common)B2verb
Make damn sure
InformalBeyond 10,000 (less common)
Most formal: AssureMost common: Assure
| Assure | Make damn sure | |
|---|---|---|
| Pronunciation | 🇬🇧 /["/əˈʃʊə(r)//əˈʃɔː(r)/","/əˈʃʊəz//əˈʃɔːz/","/əˈʃʊəd//əˈʃɔːd/","/əˈʃʊərɪŋ//əˈʃɔːrɪŋ/"]/🇺🇸 /["/əˈʃʊr/","/əˈʃʊrz/","/əˈʃʊrd/","/əˈʃʊrɪŋ/"]/ | 🇬🇧 //meɪk dæm ʃʊə//🇺🇸 //meɪk dæm ʃʊr// |
| Meaning | To make someone feel sure about something | Make very certain about something |
| Example | I assure you that everything will be fine. | You need to make damn sure that you lock the door before leaving. |
| Register | Neutral | Informal |
| How common | Top 1,000 (very common) | Beyond 10,000 (less common) |
| CEFR level | B2 | - |
| Part of speech | verb | |
| Collocations | can, hasten to, of, let me assure you | make sure, make damn sure, make absolutely sure, make sure not to forget, make damn certain |
| Antonyms | doubt, disprove, deny | - |
| Common mistakes | Confused with 'ensure' which means to make certain something happens., Using it without a direct object; 'I assure that...' is incorrect., Mixing up 'assure' with 'insure' which relates to insurance. | Confusing 'make sure' and 'make damn sure' by using them interchangeably, Omitting 'damn' when emphasizing certainty, Misusing in overly formal settings |
| Usage notes | Use 'assure' when you want to promise someone that something is true or will happen. It’s often used in more formal situations. Avoid using it in casual conversations where simpler verbs like 'tell' or 'say' might fit better. | Use in casual speech or writing to emphasize certainty. Avoid in formal contexts. |
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Frequently asked questions: Assure vs Make damn sure
What's the difference between Assure and Make damn sure?
Assure: To make someone feel sure about something Make damn sure: Make very certain about something
Which is more formal: Assure and Make damn sure?
Assure is the most formal of these.
Which is more common: Assure and Make damn sure?
Assure is the most common in everyday English.
Can you show an example of each?
Assure: I assure you that everything will be fine. Make damn sure: You need to make damn sure that you lock the door before leaving.
Can I use Assure and Make damn sure interchangeably?
Not always. Assure 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.