How to Use 'Ensure,' 'Insure' and 'Assure' Correctly in a Sentence
The words insure, ensure and assure sound the same, but have different meanings in print. They are commonly misused when writing. A writer needs to learn the difference between the three to use any of them in a sentence.
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Instructions
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When talking about anything to do with the insurance industry, use insure. For example, "I have to insure my car against accidental collision."
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To ensure means to make sure or guarantee. For example, "To ensure the safety of my home, I shut off the clothes dryer before I left." According to most dictionaries, the word insure can be used interchangeably in this scenario. However, if writing professionally, use insure only when referring to insurance.
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The term assure has the same basic definition, except it refers to something you do to a person. If you are making sure something happens that relates to a person, you are assuring. For example: "I assured Sally that I had turned off the clothes dryer before leaving the house." Assure is also how the British say insure, which can only complicate matters.
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As a general rule, use insure when speaking of the insurance industry, assure when speaking of a person or something alive, and ensure when speaking about conditions or events.
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References
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Comments
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I still don't understand the difference. I can ensure that the word insure is difficult. Example: I assure I not a member of NAMBLA.
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Biscuit4u
Jan 03, 2009
As nerdy as it may sound, I enjoyed your article. I never stopped to consider the differences and meanings in these words. Well worded and very informative. Thanks 5*
