Beyond “Make Sure”: Diverse Ways to Ensure and Verify

The phrase “make sure” is a common and useful expression in English, but relying on it exclusively can make your language sound repetitive and lack nuance. Mastering alternative ways to convey the same meaning will significantly enhance your communication skills and add depth to your vocabulary.

This article explores a wide range of synonyms and related expressions, providing clear explanations, examples, and practice exercises to help you confidently express the concept of ensuring or verifying something in various contexts. Whether you are an ESL learner or a native speaker looking to refine your language, this guide will equip you with the tools to communicate more effectively and precisely.

This article is designed for English language learners of all levels, from beginners to advanced speakers. Anyone who wishes to expand their vocabulary and improve their ability to express certainty, verification, and assurance will find this guide valuable.

Table of Contents

1. Introduction
2. Definition of “Make Sure”
3. Structural Breakdown of “Make Sure”
4. Synonyms and Alternatives
   • Ensure
   • Assure
   • Verify
   • Confirm
   • Ascertain
   • See to it
   • Guarantee
   • Check
   • Double-Check
   • Look Into
   • Take Care
   • Be Certain
   • Certify
   • Validate
   • Determine
5. Examples
6. Usage Rules
7. Common Mistakes
8. Practice Exercises
9. Advanced Topics
10. FAQ
11. Conclusion

Definition of “Make Sure”

“Make sure” is an idiomatic expression in English that conveys the idea of taking necessary steps to guarantee a specific outcome or to verify that something is indeed the case. It implies a proactive approach to avoid potential problems or to confirm existing information.

The phrase functions as a command or instruction, urging the listener to take responsibility for a particular action or outcome.

More formally, “make sure” can be defined as “to take action to guarantee that something happens or is true.” It is often used to express a sense of responsibility, caution, or thoroughness.

Classification: “Make sure” is a phrasal verb, consisting of the verb “make” and the adverb “sure.” It often introduces a subordinate clause indicating the condition or action to be ensured.

Function: The primary function of “make sure” is to instruct, advise, or encourage someone to take necessary precautions or actions to achieve a desired result or to confirm the truth of something. It can also express the speaker’s desire for reassurance.

Contexts: “Make sure” is used in a wide variety of contexts, including:

• Giving instructions or commands (e.g., “Make sure to lock the door.”)
• Offering advice or suggestions (e.g., “Make sure you get enough sleep.”)
• Expressing concern or caution (e.g., “Make sure you’re careful.”)
• Seeking confirmation or reassurance (e.g., “Make sure I understand correctly.”)

Structural Breakdown of “Make Sure”

The basic structure of “make sure” is quite simple:

Make sure + (that) + Subject + Verb + (Object/Complement)

Let’s break down each component:

• Make sure: This is the core phrase, indicating the imperative to ensure or verify something.
• (that): The conjunction “that” is often omitted, especially in informal speech and writing. It introduces the subordinate clause that specifies what needs to be ensured.
• Subject: The person or thing performing the action described in the subordinate clause.
• Verb: The action being performed by the subject.
• (Object/Complement): Additional information that completes the meaning of the verb, such as the object of the verb or a complement describing the subject.

Here are some examples illustrating this structure:

• Make sure (that) you lock the door.
• Make sure (that) she arrives on time.
• Make sure (that) the report is accurate.
• Make sure (that) they have enough food.

The “that” can usually be dropped without changing the meaning, making the sentence more concise:

• Make sure you lock the door.
• Make sure she arrives on time.
• Make sure the report is accurate.
• Make sure they have enough food.

Synonyms and Alternatives

While “make sure” is a versatile phrase, it’s beneficial to have a range of alternatives at your disposal. This section explores various synonyms and related expressions, each with its own nuances and appropriate contexts.

Ensure

“Ensure” is a more formal synonym for “make sure.” It implies a guarantee or certainty that something will happen.

Example: “Please ensure that all the documents are signed.”

Assure

“Assure” means to give someone confidence or certainty about something. It often involves a verbal promise or guarantee.

Example: “I can assure you that the project will be completed on time.”

Verify

“Verify” means to confirm or check the truth or accuracy of something.

Example: “Please verify your email address by clicking the link in the email.”

Confirm

“Confirm” is similar to “verify” but often implies a more formal or official confirmation.

Example: “Please confirm your attendance by replying to this email.”

Ascertain

“Ascertain” means to find something out for certain; to make sure of something.

Example: “The police are trying to ascertain the cause of the accident.”

See to it

“See to it” is an idiomatic expression that means to take responsibility for ensuring that something happens.

Example: “See to it that the guests are comfortable.”

Guarantee

“Guarantee” means to provide a formal assurance that something will happen or is true.

Example: “The company guarantees the quality of its products.”

Check

“Check” is a simple and versatile word that means to examine something to determine its accuracy or condition.

Example: “Please check your work before submitting it.”

Double-Check

“Double-check” means to check something again to be absolutely sure it is correct.

Example: “Double-check all the calculations before finalizing the report.”

Look Into

“Look into” means to investigate or inquire about something.

Example: “I’ll look into the matter and get back to you.”

Take Care

“Take care” can be used to mean “make sure,” especially when referring to safety or well-being.

Example: “Take care you don’t fall.”

Be Certain

“Be certain” emphasizes the need for assurance and confidence.

Example: “Be certain of your facts before making a statement.”

Certify

“Certify” means to officially confirm or guarantee something, often in writing.

Example: “The accountant certified the financial statements.”

Validate

“Validate” means to check or prove the validity or accuracy of something.

Example: “Please validate your parking ticket at the machine.”

Determine

“Determine” means to find out or establish something exactly, typically as a result of research or calculation.

Example: “The investigation will determine the cause of the fire.”

Examples

This section provides extensive examples of how to use the various synonyms and alternatives for “make sure” in different contexts. The examples are organized by category to illustrate the specific nuances of each expression.

The following table shows examples using “Ensure,” “Assure,” and “Verify:”

Expression	Example	Context
Ensure	Ensure that all the windows are closed before you leave.	Giving instructions, security
Ensure	We must ensure the project stays on schedule.	Project management, responsibility
Ensure	The new regulations ensure greater safety for workers.	Regulations, safety
Ensure	Ensure you have all the necessary documents before your appointment.	Preparation, advice
Ensure	Ensure the plants are watered regularly.	Household task, instruction
Assure	I assure you that your information is safe with us.	Giving confidence, privacy
Assure	The doctor assured the patient that the surgery was low-risk.	Medical, reassurance
Assure	I can assure you of my full cooperation.	Professional, guarantee
Assure	They assured us that the product would arrive on time.	Customer service, promise
Assure	She assured him that she would be there for him.	Emotional support, promise
Verify	Verify your account by clicking the link in the email.	Online security, confirmation
Verify	Please verify your address before submitting the form.	Form completion, accuracy
Verify	The accountant will verify the financial records.	Accounting, auditing
Verify	The police are trying to verify the suspect’s alibi.	Investigation, crime
Verify	You should always verify information from unreliable sources.	Research, fact-checking
Ensure	Ensure the oven is turned off after use.	Household task, safety
Ensure	Ensure the data is backed up regularly.	IT, data management
Ensure	Ensure you have a valid passport before traveling.	Travel, preparation
Ensure	Ensure that the safety protocols are followed.	Workplace, safety
Ensure	Ensure the medication is stored properly.	Health, safety
Assure	I assure you, we are doing everything we can.	Problem solving, reassurance
Assure	The company assured the shareholders of its profitability.	Business, finance
Assure	He assured her that he loved her.	Relationship, emotion
Assure	They assured the public that the water was safe to drink.	Public health, safety
Assure	The salesman assured the customer of the product’s quality.	Sales, marketing
Verify	Verify the shipment contents upon arrival.	Logistics, shipping
Verify	The software will verify the code for errors.	Programming, quality control
Verify	Verify your insurance coverage before seeking medical treatment.	Healthcare, insurance
Verify	The teacher will verify the students’ attendance.	Education, administration
Verify	Verify the news before sharing it on social media.	Information, responsibility

The following table shows examples using “Confirm,” “Ascertain,” and “See to it:”

Expression	Example	Context
Confirm	Please confirm your reservation by phone.	Hospitality, booking
Confirm	The test results confirmed the diagnosis.	Medical, diagnosis
Confirm	I need to confirm the details of the meeting.	Business, scheduling
Confirm	Can you confirm that you received my email?	Communication, follow-up
Confirm	The witness confirmed the suspect’s identity.	Legal, testimony
Ascertain	The detective tried to ascertain the truth behind the story.	Investigation, truth-seeking
We need to ascertain whether the rumors are true.	Inquiry, investigation
Ascertain	The doctor will ascertain the cause of your symptoms.	Medical, diagnosis
Ascertain	Researchers are trying to ascertain the long-term effects of the drug.	Research, science
Ascertain	The surveyor must ascertain the precise boundaries of the property.	Surveying, property
See to it	See to it that the work is done properly.	Delegation, responsibility
See to it	Please see to it that the children are in bed by 9 pm.	Parenting, instruction
See to it	See to it that the report is submitted on time.	Workplace, deadlines
See to it	See to it that the plants get enough water.	Gardening, caring
See to it	See to it that the supplies are restocked.	Inventory, management
Confirm	Confirm your flight details online before you travel.	Travel, logistics
Confirm	The scientists confirmed the existence of the new species.	Science, discovery
Confirm	We need to confirm the number of attendees for the event.	Event planning, logistics
Confirm	The manager confirmed his decision to resign.	Business, career
Confirm	The weather forecast confirmed the possibility of snow.	Weather, prediction
Ascertain	The historian tried to ascertain the authenticity of the document.	History, research
Ascertain	We need to ascertain the level of customer satisfaction.	Business, feedback
Ascertain	The engineer tried to ascertain the structural integrity of the bridge.	Engineering, safety
Ascertain	The investigator will ascertain if any laws were broken.	Legal, investigation
Ascertain	The study aims to ascertain the impact of social media on teenagers.	Social science, research
See to it	See to it that the equipment is properly maintained.	Maintenance, responsibility
See to it	See to it that the animals are fed and cared for.	Animal care, responsibility
See to it	See to it that the meeting room is clean and organized.	Office management, tasks
See to it	See to it that all safety regulations are followed.	Workplace safety, rules
See to it	See to it that the project is completed by the deadline.	Project management, deadlines

The following table shows examples using “Guarantee,” “Check,” “Double-Check,” “Look Into,” “Take Care,” “Be Certain,” “Certify,” “Validate,” and “Determine”:

Expression	Example	Context
Guarantee	The product comes with a one-year guarantee.	Sales, warranty
Guarantee	I can’t guarantee the weather will be perfect.	Prediction, uncertainty
Check	Check your email for updates.	Communication, follow-up
Check	Check the expiration date on the milk.	Household, safety
Double-check	Double-check your answers before submitting the test.	Education, accuracy
Double-check	Double-check the flight time before going to the airport.	Travel, logistics
Look into	I’ll look into the problem and get back to you.	Problem-solving, inquiry
Look into	The company is looking into ways to reduce costs.	Business, strategy
Take care	Take care you don’t slip on the ice.	Safety, warning
Take care	Take care to fasten your seatbelt.	Safety, precaution
Be certain	Be certain you have all the facts before making a decision.	Decision-making, responsibility
Be certain	Be certain to turn off the lights when you leave.	Energy conservation, instruction
Certify	The course is certified by a reputable organization.	Education, accreditation
Certify	The auditor will certify the financial statements.	Accounting, auditing
Validate	Validate your parking ticket before leaving the garage.	Parking, process
Validate	The software will validate the data entered into the form.	Software, data integrity
Determine	The investigation will determine the cause of the accident.	Investigation, fact-finding
Determine	The experiment will determine the effectiveness of the new treatment.	Research, science
Guarantee	We guarantee your satisfaction with our service.	Customer service, assurance
Guarantee	The government guarantees free education for all children.	Social policy, rights
Check	Check the weather forecast before going hiking.	Outdoor activities, preparation
Check	Check the oil level in your car regularly.	Car maintenance, safety
Double-check	Double-check the spelling of the name before printing the certificate.	Administration, accuracy
Double-check	Double-check the ingredients before starting the recipe.	Cooking, accuracy
Look into	The manager will look into the customer’s complaint.	Customer service, problem-solving
Look into	I need to look into the possibility of getting a loan.	Finance, planning
Take care	Take care when crossing the street.	Safety, warning
Take care	Take care not to overcook the vegetables.	Cooking, instruction
Be certain	Be certain to back up your data regularly.	Data management, safety
Be certain	Be certain you understand the instructions before starting the task.	Task management, clarity
Certify	The organic produce is certified by a recognized agency.	Agriculture, quality control
Certify	The engineer is certified to inspect bridges.	Engineering, expertise
Validate	Validate your account by entering the code sent to your phone.	Online security, verification
Validate	The research findings validate the hypothesis.	Research, confirmation
Determine	The autopsy will determine the exact cause of death.	Forensic science, investigation
Determine	The survey will determine the public’s opinion on the new policy.	Social science, research

Usage Rules

Each alternative to “make sure” has its own specific usage rules and contexts in which it is most appropriate. Understanding these rules will help you choose the best expression for your intended meaning.

• Ensure: Use “ensure” when you want to emphasize a guarantee or certainty. It’s often used in formal contexts.
• Assure: Use “assure” when you want to give someone confidence or certainty, often through a verbal promise or guarantee. The subject of “assure” is usually a person.
• Verify: Use “verify” when you want to confirm the truth or accuracy of something. It often involves checking evidence or data.
• Confirm: Use “confirm” when you want to get a formal or official confirmation.
• Ascertain: Use “ascertain” when you want to find something out for certain, usually through investigation or research.
• See to it: Use “see to it” when you want to emphasize personal responsibility for ensuring that something happens.
• Guarantee: Use “guarantee” when you are offering a formal assurance that something will happen or is true.
• Check: Use “check” for a quick examination to determine accuracy or condition.
• Double-check: Use “double-check” for a more thorough examination to ensure accuracy.
• Look into: Use “look into” when you want to investigate or inquire about something.
• Take care: Use “take care” when you want to advise someone to be cautious or careful, especially in situations involving safety.
• Be certain: Use “be certain” to emphasize the need for assurance and confidence before taking action.
• Certify: Use “certify” when you want to officially confirm or guarantee something, often in writing.
• Validate: Use “validate” when you want to check or prove the validity or accuracy of something.
• Determine: Use “determine” when you want to find out or establish something exactly, typically as a result of research or calculation.

Common Mistakes

Here are some common mistakes to avoid when using alternatives to “make sure”:

Incorrect	Correct	Explanation
Assure that the door is locked.	Ensure that the door is locked.	“Assure” typically takes a person as the object, not a situation.
Ensure me that everything is okay.	Assure me that everything is okay.	“Assure” is used to give confidence to someone.
I will confirm into the problem.	I will look into the problem.	“Confirm” is not used to mean investigate. “Look into” is the correct phrasal verb.
See to it to lock the door.	See to it that you lock the door.	“See to it” requires “that” and a subject and verb.
Guarantee to arrive on time.	Guarantee that I will arrive on time.	“Guarantee” requires “that” and a subject and verb.
Check to lock the door.	Check that you lock the door.	Check requires a object, or a that-clause, but not an infinitive to-clause.
Double-check to lock the door.	Double-check that you lock the door.	Double-check requires a object, or a that-clause, but not an infinitive to-clause.

Practice Exercises

Test your understanding of the alternatives to “make sure” with these practice exercises.

Exercise 1: Choose the Best Alternative

Choose the best alternative to “make sure” in the following sentences.

Question	Options	Answer
_____ that all the lights are turned off before you leave.	a) Assure b) Ensure c) Verify	b) Ensure
I _____ you that your data is safe with us.	a) Ensure b) Verify c) Assure	c) Assure
Please _____ your email address to activate your account.	a) Confirm b) Ensure c) Verify	c) Verify
Please _____ your reservation 24 hours in advance.	a) Confirm b) Ensure c) Verify	a) Confirm
The detective tried to _____ the suspect’s whereabouts.	a) Ascertain b) Ensure c) Assure	a) Ascertain
_____ that the guests are comfortable.	a) See to it b) Ensure c) Assure	a) See to it
The company _____ the quality of its products.	a) Guarantee b) Ensure c) Assure	a) Guarantee
_____ your work carefully before submitting it.	a) Verify b) Check c) Ascertain	b) Check
_____ your calculations to avoid mistakes.	a) Confirm b) Double-check c) Ascertain	b) Double-check
I’ll _____ the matter and get back to you.	a) Look into b) Ensure c) Assure	a) Look into

Exercise 2: Fill in the Blanks

Fill in the blanks with the appropriate alternative to “make sure.”

Question	Answer
_____ you don’t forget your keys.	Take care
_____ to turn off the stove after cooking.	Be certain
The auditor will _____ the financial statements.	Certify
_____ your parking ticket at the machine before leaving.	Validate
The investigation will _____ the cause of the fire.	Determine
_____ all the doors are locked at night.	Ensure
I _____ you that we are doing our best.	Assure
Please _____ your address before submitting the form.	Verify
_____ your flight details online.	Confirm
The police are trying to _____ the facts of the case.	Ascertain

Exercise 3: Rewrite the Sentences

Rewrite the following sentences using a different alternative to “make sure.”

Original Sentence	Rewritten Sentence
Make sure you lock the door.	Ensure that you lock the door.
Make sure I understand correctly.	Confirm that I understand correctly.
Make sure you are careful.	Take care that you are careful.
Make sure the report is accurate.	Verify that the report is accurate.
Make sure they have enough food.	See to it that they have enough food.
Make sure to check your email.	Check your email.
Make sure you don’t slip on the ice.	Take care you don’t slip on the ice.
Make sure to turn off the lights.	Be certain to turn off the lights.
Make sure the data is validated.	Validate the data.
Make sure the cause is determined.	Determine the cause.

Advanced Topics

For advanced learners, consider these more complex aspects:

• Subjunctive Mood: In formal writing, you might encounter the subjunctive mood after “ensure” or “see to it,” especially in legal or official documents. Example: “The contract ensures that the payment *be* made within 30 days.”
• Formal vs. Informal Usage: Be mindful of the level of formality required in different situations. While “check” is generally acceptable in most contexts, “ascertain” might sound overly formal in casual conversation.
• Using Modal Verbs: Combine alternatives with modal verbs (should, must, need to) to express varying degrees of obligation or necessity. Example: “You must ensure that all safety regulations are followed.”

FAQ

Here are some frequently asked questions about using alternatives to “make sure”:

1. Is it always necessary to use “that” after “make sure,” “ensure,” etc.?
   No, “that” is often optional, especially in informal speech and writing. However, including “that” can sometimes improve clarity, particularly in complex sentences.
2. What’s the difference between “ensure” and “insure”?
   “Ensure” means to guarantee or make certain, while “insure” means to protect against financial loss. They are often confused, but have distinct meanings.
3. When is it appropriate to use “see to it”?
   “See to it” is best used when you want to emphasize personal responsibility for ensuring that something happens. It often implies a sense of urgency or importance.
4. Can I use “make sure” in formal writing?
   While “make sure” is grammatically correct, it’s generally considered less formal than alternatives like “ensure” or “verify.” In formal writing, it’s often better to choose a more sophisticated synonym.
5. How can I improve my vocabulary of synonyms for “make sure”?
   Read widely, pay attention to how different expressions are

   used in context, and actively try to incorporate new words and phrases into your own writing and speaking.

Conclusion

By exploring a wide range of synonyms and alternatives to “make sure,” you can significantly enhance your communication skills and add nuance to your language. Each expression offers a slightly different shade of meaning, allowing you to convey your intended message with greater precision and impact.

Whether you choose “ensure,” “verify,” “ascertain,” or any of the other alternatives discussed in this guide, remember to consider the context, audience, and desired level of formality. With practice and attention to detail, you can confidently move beyond “make sure” and express yourself with greater clarity and sophistication.