Guarantee vs Make sure to feed him
When to use each in English, with meaning, register, and examples.
Guarantee
Top 2,000 (common)B2verb
Make sure to feed him
Top 2,000 (common)
| Guarantee | Make sure to feed him | |
|---|---|---|
| Pronunciation | 🇬🇧 /["/ˌɡærənˈtiː/","/ˌɡærənˈtiːz/","/ˌɡærənˈtiːd/","/ˌɡærənˈtiːɪŋ/"]/🇺🇸 /["/ˌɡærənˈtiː/","/ˌɡærənˈtiːz/","/ˌɡærənˈtiːd/","/ˌɡærənˈtiːɪŋ/"]/ | 🇬🇧 //meɪk ʃʊə tə fiːd hɪm//🇺🇸 //meɪk ʃʊr tə fid hɪm// |
| Meaning | A promise that something will happen or be done. | Check that he gets food. |
| Example | I can guarantee that you will enjoy this movie. | 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 | absolutely, personally, constitutionally, be able to, can, be fully guaranteed, absolutely, almost, practically | make sure to check, make sure you do, make sure it's done |
| 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. | Omitting 'to', saying 'make sure feed him', Confusing 'make sure' with 'ensure', Using 'make sure' in contexts requiring more formality |
| 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. | 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: Guarantee vs Make sure to feed him
What's the difference between Guarantee and Make sure to feed him?
Guarantee: A promise that something will happen or be done. Make sure to feed him: Check that he gets food.
Can you show an example of each?
Guarantee: I can guarantee that you will enjoy this movie. Make sure to feed him: Make sure to feed him at the right time every day.
Can I use Guarantee and Make sure to feed him interchangeably?
Not always. Guarantee 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.