MAKE SURE

Digital Nomads

"Make sure that your decisions echo in harmony with your ambitions, for clarity is the foundation of purposeful living."

📖 Definition

To 'make sure' means to confirm or assure that something is correct, safe, or achieved. It involves taking actions to verify, check, or ensure a particular outcome.

Examples in context

📖 Definition

To 'make sure' means to confirm or assure that something is correct, safe, or achieved. It involves taking actions to verify, check, or ensure a particular outcome.

📝 Grammar Info

Separable
No
The verb 'make sure' does not allow an object to be placed between 'make' and 'sure.'
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Neutral
It is used in both formal and informal settings, suitable for most conversational and written contexts.
Transitive
No
It does not take a direct object directly following the phrasal verb.

📊 Conjugation Table

Tense Form Example
Present Simple make sure Please make sure the documents are signed.
Past Simple made sure He made sure the doors were locked last night.
Present Continuous making sure She is making sure everything is ready for the event.
Present Perfect have made sure They have made sure that all lights are off before leaving.

💡 When to Use

Ensuring tasks are complete
Use when you need to confirm that a task has been completed satisfactorily. It's often used in work or practical contexts.
Example: "Make sure you water the plants before going out."
Verification of information
Apply it when checking or verifying facts or details in communication, ensuring no misunderstandings occur.
Example: "Make sure you spell-check your email before sending."
Safety checks
It is crucial in contexts where confirming the safety or security of something is necessary to prevent harm or damage.
Example: "Make sure the safety equipment is worn during the operation."

⚠️ Common Mistakes

Using with a direct object
❌ Wrong: Make sure the car.
✅ Correct: Make sure the car is locked.
💡 Tip: Remember, 'make sure' is often followed by a clause or infinitive.
Incorrect tense
❌ Wrong: He make sure to call.
✅ Correct: He made sure to call.
💡 Tip: Match the verb tense with the sentence context.
Separable misuse
❌ Wrong: Make the sure arrangements.
✅ Correct: Make sure the arrangements are in place.
💡 Tip: Keep 'make sure' together as a unit before a clause.
Practice

MAKE SURE - IN PRACTICE

Study Method Proposal

  1. Listen and repeat the audio as many times as needed to improve your pronunciation
  2. Use the audio as a dictation exercise, trying to write what you hear and understand
  3. Create a new sentence following the structure of the example sentences

Examples in Context

  • 1
    Listen to example

    Before the guests arrive, make sure the house is tidy and welcoming.

    Digital Nomads
  • 2
    Listen to example

    She always makes sure to double-check her work for errors.

    Digital Nomads
  • 3
    Listen to example

    Make sure you have all necessary documents before your flight.

    Digital Nomads

Synonyms & Antonyms

Synonyms

ensure verify

Antonyms

neglect

Quick Check

Complete the sentence with the correct phrasal verb:

"Before leaving, always ___ that the stove is off."

make unsure
make sure
made sure
made unsure

In Context

In the spring of 1804, Lewis and Clark embarked on an expedition commissioned by President Thomas Jefferson to explore the newly acquired Louisiana Territory. Before setting off, they made sure their supplies were meticulously packed. Knowing the uncertainty ahead, Lewis ensured they had maps, journals, and tools necessary for documentation and survival. As the journey progressed, challenges like harsh weather and unfamiliar terrain arose. To stay on course, Lewis would make sure his team accurately recorded each day's journey, communicating effectively with Native tribes met along the way. Clark, on the other hand, took charge of ensuring their canoes were in top condition to navigate the Missouri River. He would often inspect the ropes and make sure they were robust enough to withstand strong currents. Halfway through their journey, the team encountered the harsh winter of North Dakota. Seeking shelter with the Mandan tribes, they made sure to trade for new supplies and necessary guidance about the unknown land. By the time they reached the Pacific Ocean in November 1805, their meticulous preparation and constant vigilance ensured their success and safe return. The expedition made clean pathways for American westward expansion, and history remembers Lewis and Clark for their perseverance and diligence to make sure the new frontier was documented and understood.

❓ Frequently Asked Questions about Make Sure

What is the origin of make sure?

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The phrase 'make sure' has origins in Middle English, with 'make' meaning to create or cause, and 'sure' meaning secure or certain. It gradually evolved into its current use, emphasizing the action of confirming or ensuring certainty.

Can make sure be used in formal and informal contexts?

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Yes, 'make sure' is versatile, suited for both formal and informal contexts. In formal writing, it conveys diligence or thoroughness, while informally, it is used for everyday tasks and conversations, making it a practical phrase for varied communications.

What is the difference between make sure and ensure?

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'Make sure' and 'ensure' are often used interchangeably, but 'ensure' tends to be more formal, typically used in writing. 'Make sure' is more conversational and commonly used in everyday language, though both aim to achieve the same outcome of confirming or verifying.

Related Phrasal Verbs

Explore more phrasal verbs in our dictionary:

ensurecheckverifyconfirmsee to it
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Digital Nomads Phrasal Verbs - WeeklyCross
Alessandra Nóbrega
About the Author

Alessandra Nóbrega

History teacher who fell in love with English! This passion led me to specialize in languages and work on bilingual education projects. With 37 years in education, I believe learning should be meaningful – not just memorization.

Learn more about my journey



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