to make sure

Examples

• All

• Make sure your team is recording this.

  Harmony (2022)

• One of the first things I tell my fiction class is, "Make sure your characters want something."

  Academic text (2011)

• So let me just make sure this is up next.

• And the other rule is make sure you teach yourself

• It's not easy, but make sure it's just like that.

• Get everybody into safety areas, and make sure that they stay there.

  The China Syndrome (1979)

• Questions may be asked to make sure that the main pieces of information have been understood.

  Academic text (2011)

• My final goal was to make sure that students and faculty got my personal attention.

  Academic text (2011)

• I use hand signals to make sure students are looking at me while giving out instructions.

  Academic text (2011)

• As hostess, I expect you to make sure every guest has a good time.

  Fiction book (1990)

Synonyms

C

to check

vsto make sure

∞ 1.0

Examine something to make sure it is correct or true

is similar but also includes doing things beyond simple examination

S

to see

vsto make sure

∞ 1.0

To check whether something is true or has happened

is a broader phrase that covers checking or acting to be certain

C

to confirm

vsto make sure

∞ 1.8

To show that something is true by giving evidence

is broader, including simple actions or checks to reach certainty

G

to guarantee

vsto make sure

∞ 2.8

To promise that something will happen or work

is about checking or doing to achieve certainty rather than promising

E

to ensure

vsto make sure

910 2.8

Make sure that something happens or is true

is the common phrase for checking or doing things to be certain

V

to verify

vsto make sure

251 3.5

To make sure something is true or correct

includes this confirmation but also doing things to cause results

A

to assure

vsto make sure

198 3.5

To make sure that something will happen

focuses more on checking or acting to be certain rather than promising

S

to see to it

vsto make sure

107 3.5

Make sure something gets done

is more general, covering both checking and taking action to be certain

D

to double-check

vsto make sure

73 2.5

To look again to make sure it is correct or safe

covers this repeated check but also doing actions to secure outcomes

A

to ascertain

vsto make sure

59 5.7

To find out for sure by checking the facts

is the everyday way to check or act so that certainty follows

M

to make a point of

vsto make sure

31 3.5

Always do something because you think it is important

emphasizes either checking or acting to be certain rather than habit

Antonyms

I

to ignore

∞ 1.0

Choose not to pay attention to someone or something

O

to overlook

243 2.9

To not notice someone or something you should see

How Certain

to guarantee

∞ 2.8

to ensure

910 2.8

to make sure

∞ 1.1

to verify

251 3.5

to check

∞ 1.0

Surface Forms

Morphology

Etymology