I made sure that

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "I made sure that" is correct and usable in written English.
You can use it when you want to express that you took steps to ensure something was done or confirmed. Example: "I made sure that all the documents were submitted before the deadline."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

58 human-written examples

"I made sure that was non-negotiable when moving to London," Roberts said.

BBC

How I made sure that the noose would slip easily, shut lethally, squeeze, cut.

The New Yorker

When I gave him his change I made sure that our hands touched.

The New Yorker

Actually, I checked, and I made sure that this was the case.

The New Yorker

I made sure that I had a clear path to the door.

The New York Times

I made sure that I did it even creepier than the actual people it's based on".

The Guardian - TV & Radio

I made sure that she indiscreetly stares right back at them.

The Guardian - Books

"I made sure that was me that was in there," he said.

The New York Times

I made sure that any recognisable faces in my photos had black marker over them.

The Guardian - Arts

I made sure that I exposed all three of my children to many different athletic experiences.

The New York Times - Magazine

This time, I made sure that I had enough should the worst come to the worst.

The Guardian - Music

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "I made sure that" to clearly express that you took a specific action to achieve a desired result, emphasizing your direct involvement and intent. For example, "I made sure that all the doors were locked before leaving."

Common error

Avoid overusing "I made sure that" in highly formal or academic writing. Opt for more concise alternatives like "I ensured that" or "It was verified that" to maintain a professional tone.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "I made sure that" functions as a declarative statement to indicate that the speaker took deliberate action to ensure a specific outcome. Ludwig AI provides numerous examples where the phrase is used to convey certainty and intentionality.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

62%

Science

20%

Formal & Business

5%

Less common in

Academia

3%

Encyclopedias

0%

Wiki

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "I made sure that" is a common and grammatically correct way to express that you took action to guarantee a specific outcome. As Ludwig AI confirms, it's widely used across various contexts, particularly in news and media. While appropriate for most situations, consider more formal alternatives like "I ensured that" in academic or professional writing. Remember to use it to clearly convey your proactive involvement in achieving a desired result.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

I ensured that

Emphasizes the act of guaranteeing a specific outcome.

I verified that

Focuses on confirming the truth or accuracy of something.

I confirmed that

Highlights the act of establishing something with certainty.

I saw to it that

Implies taking responsibility for ensuring something happens.

I guaranteed that

Stresses the act of providing a formal assurance.

I took care that

Highlights the act of being cautious and attentive to ensure something happens.

I ascertained that

Implies a careful investigation to establish a fact.

I checked that

Focuses on inspecting or examining something to ensure it's correct.

I double-checked that

Emphasizes a second verification to ensure accuracy.

I established that

Highlights the act of setting something up with certainty.

FAQs

How can I use "I made sure that" in a sentence?

Use "I made sure that" to indicate you took specific action to achieve a result. For example, "I made sure that the report was submitted on time."

What are some alternatives to "I made sure that"?

You can use phrases like "I ensured that", "I verified that", or "I confirmed that" depending on the context.

Is it correct to say "I made sure that" in formal writing?

While grammatically correct, consider more formal alternatives like "I ensured that" or "It was verified that" for a more professional tone in academic or business contexts.

What's the difference between "I made sure that" and "I tried to make sure that"?

"I made sure that" indicates a completed action with a guaranteed outcome, whereas "I tried to make sure that" implies an attempt, but not necessarily a successful result.