be sure to

USAGE SUMMARY

"be sure to" is correct and usable in written English.
You can use it whenever you want to emphasize that someone should do something. For example: Be sure to turn in your assignment on time.

✓ Grammatically correct

Wiki

News & Media

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

Be sure to ask.

The New York Times - Health

Be sure to stay slander.

The New Yorker

Be sure to remember sunscreen.

The New York Times

Be sure to supervise.

WikiHow

Be sure to bargain.

WikiHow

Be sure to exercise.

WikiHow

Be sure to rehearse.

WikiHow

Be sure to rest.

WikiHow

Be sure to moisturize.

WikiHow

Be sure to relax.

WikiHow

Be sure to smile.

WikiHow

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When giving instructions or advice, use "be sure to" to clearly emphasize important actions the reader or listener should not overlook.

Common error

Avoid using "be sure to" repeatedly in the same paragraph or section, as it can sound redundant. Instead, vary your sentence structure with alternatives like "remember to", "make sure to", or "ensure that" to maintain a more engaging tone.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "be sure to" functions as an imperative, typically used to give a strong recommendation, instruction, or directive. Ludwig AI indicates that it's used to emphasize the importance of an action.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

Wiki

57%

News & Media

25%

Science

18%

Less common in

Formal & Business

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "be sure to" is an imperative used to give a strong recommendation or instruction, as confirmed by Ludwig AI. It is grammatically correct and very common, appearing frequently in WikiHow and News & Media. While it has a neutral register, making it suitable for various contexts, overusing it can lead to redundancy. Alternatives like "make sure to", "remember to", and "don't forget to" can provide variety. Using "be sure to" effectively involves emphasizing important actions while avoiding overuse.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

make sure to

Emphasizes verification or confirmation of an action.

make certain to

Stresses the need to confirm or verify something.

remember to

Highlights the act of not forgetting something important.

don't forget to

A negative imperative, reminding someone not to omit an action.

ensure that you

More formal, stressing the importance of guaranteeing an outcome.

see to it that you

Indicates taking responsibility to ensure something happens.

take care to

Focuses on being cautious and attentive in performing an action.

be certain to

Highlights the need for assurance or confidence in completing a task.

it is important to

Emphasizes the significance or necessity of a particular action.

you must

Direct instruction, indicating obligation or necessity.

FAQs

How can I use "be sure to" in a sentence?

Use "be sure to" to give a command or strong suggestion. For example, "Be sure to submit your application before the deadline."

What are some alternatives to "be sure to"?

You can use phrases like "make sure to", "remember to", or "don't forget to" depending on the context.

Is there a difference between "be sure to" and "make sure to"?

While similar, "be sure to" emphasizes importance, whereas "make sure to" focuses on verifying or confirming an action. Both are generally interchangeable but convey slightly different nuances.

When is it appropriate to use "be sure to"?

It is appropriate to use "be sure to" when you want to emphasize that someone should definitely do something, especially when the action is important or necessary. Use it when giving instructions, advice, or reminders.