How to Use Assure, Ensure and Insure Correctly
The English language can confuse even those who have spoken it all their lives because there are many words that are spelled and sound similar but have subtle differences in meaning. One of the more intricate sets of verbs is "assure," "ensure" and "insure." The steps below outline the various definitions and offer tricks for how to distinguish the slight differences.
Other People Are Reading
Instructions
-
-
1
Know the definition of "assure:" to certify, to make sure, to pledge or promise, to affirm, to declare earnestly or positively, to cause to know surely and to encourage. Imagine the context from the perspective of the person committing the action: one who "assures" does so from the outside in.
-
2
Repeat the word "reassure" when uncertain whether "assure" is the correct word meaning for the situation. If "reassure" fits the context, then use "assure."
-
-
3
Learn the definition of "ensure:" to make certain, to secure and to cinch. Envision the person who "ensures" as locking something in, like an object or a promotion. When uncertain if "ensure" is the correct verb choice, substitute the phrase "make sure;" if the sentence sounds accurate, then use "ensure."
-
4
Understand the perspective of the meaning of "insure:" to guarantee, to protect and to cover. The context looks forward, toward protecting something into the future (whereas "ensure" usually occurs in the present). "Insure" is the verb form of the noun "insurance."
-
5
Tune into subtle differences in context before choosing the correct word. In many contexts, these three verbs can be used interchangeably because their word meanings are so similar. Repeat the reminder words discussed above; if one of them does not stand out as most appropriate, feel safe to use any of the words.
-
1
Resources
More Like This
Comments
-
This has alwasy been very confusing to me because my use of the word ensure was what I learned to beleive meant "to make certain of.
-
nice
