assure someone

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "assure someone" is correct and usable in written English. You can use it when you want to guarantee or promise someone that something is true or will happen. Example: "I assure you that your application will be processed on time." Alternative expressions include "reassure someone," "guarantee someone," and "convince someone."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Wiki

Formal & Business

Science

Encyclopedias

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

3 human-written examples

It is comforting to be able to assure someone, even a fictional character, that her greatest fear is unfounded.

The New York Times

Can I assure someone in their life by saying I have faith in them?

Huffington Post

Besides, why would I need to assure someone I didn't know that I wasn't some weird liar making things up for material?

Vice

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

56 human-written examples

The swaggering Slowing Down The World assures someone that their over-active libido isn't a crime, while on the Scott Walker-indebted Mechanicsheshe craves to learn "the touch of love" for a man or a woman: "They're both the same".

The Guardian - Music

"When a prospective donor is virtually assured someone will get elected, and they want to have access to that candidate or they want that individual to look favorably on their preferences once in office, giving may be a wise investment," he added.

The New York Times

What assures someone of the quality of a meeting before they commit to attend (such as a peer-reviewed program)?

Science Magazine

If you boast that your financial-services firm's servers are impenetrable to hackers, rest assured someone will try to prove you wrong.

Forbes

It is without question that everyone puts extremely sensitive data through their clipboard such as passwords and credit card #'s, and assuring someone this data will be safe when its being stored remotely is no easy task.

TechCrunch

"The process that we're talking about right now is that somehow we assure that someone is accountable to the public for this work".

Huffington Post

Rest assured, Lucy, someone will.

The New York Times

Rest assured that someone, somewhere, is laying bets on such incidents.

The New York Times - Sports

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "assure someone" when your goal is to eliminate doubt or anxiety in another person through words.

Common error

Do not use 'assure' when you mean 'to make certain that something happens'. For events or outcomes, use "ensure". You 'assure' a person (e.g., 'I assured my boss'), but you 'ensure' a result (e.g., 'I ensured the report was finished').

Linguistic Context

The phrase "assure someone" functions as a transitive verb construction where 'assure' requires a direct object representing a person or entity. As noted by Ludwig, it often acts as the primary predicate in sentences designed to provide certainty or comfort. It frequently precedes a 'that' clause or an 'of' prepositional phrase to specify the content of the assurance.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

70%

Formal & Business

15%

Wiki

10%

Less common in

Science

3%

Encyclopedias

1%

Academic

1%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In conclusion, "assure someone" is a highly effective and grammatically sound phrase used to convey confidence. Ludwig data shows that it is a favorite among high-quality news outlets for its clarity and directness. The most important takeaway for writers is the 'person-centric' nature of the verb: you must always have a 'someone' to receive the assurance. While often confused with "ensure", remember that you "assure someone" to change their mind or feelings, while you ensure an event to change its outcome. Whether in a high-stakes business meeting or a comforting personal conversation, using this phrase correctly will strengthen your credibility and authority.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

reassure someone

Implies restoring confidence to a person who is already worried or anxious.

guarantee someone

Conveys a more formal or contractual level of certainty than a simple statement.

promise someone

Focuses on a personal commitment to do or provide something in the future.

put someone at ease

An idiomatic expression focused on reducing a person's tension or discomfort.

convince someone

Focuses on the result of making someone believe that something is true.

pledge to someone

A more solemn or formal way to make a promise, often in public contexts.

give someone peace of mind

Focuses on the psychological outcome of the assurance rather than the act itself.

swear to someone

Adds an extra layer of emphasis, often invoking a sense of truthfulness or honor.

tell someone with certainty

A descriptive alternative that emphasizes the confident manner of the speaker.

vouch for someone

Specific to confirming the character or reliability of a person to a third party.

FAQs

How do I use "assure someone" in a sentence?

You can use it by following the verb with the person you are speaking to, such as: "I want to "reassure you" that we are on schedule" or "He tried to "convince them" of the plan's safety."

What is the difference between "assure someone" and "ensure someone"?

Actually, you rarely 'ensure someone'. You "assure someone" to give them confidence, whereas you "ensure that" something happens to guarantee a specific outcome.

What can I say instead of "assure someone"?

Depending on the context, you could say "reassure someone" if they are nervous, or "guarantee to someone" if you are making a firm promise.

Is it "assure someone of" or "assure someone that"?

Both are correct. Use "assure someone of [something]" for nouns (e.g., 'assure them of my support') and "assure someone that [clause]" for full thoughts (e.g., 'assure them that I will help').