ensure yes

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "ensure yes" is not correct and does not convey a clear meaning in written English.
It is unclear when to use it, as it lacks context and proper grammatical structure. Example: "Please ensure yes is the final answer before submitting the form." (Note: This example is awkward and not recommended.)

⚠ May contain grammatical issues

News & Media

Wiki

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

1 human-written examples

If some recent opinion polls showing a far tighter gap between yes and no are correct (ICM recently suggested it could be as tight as just 4% apart, once don't know are excluded), that could be enough to ensure yes would win.

The Guardian

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

57 human-written examples

A strong canvas bag should withstand even the clumsiest baggage handler, and can easily be squished a bit to ensure that yes, your bag does fit in here.

Independent

But George Osborne is expected to try to reach out to the backbench critics this week when he tells a conference, organised by the pro-reform thinktank Open Europe, that Britain will need to negotiate major EU reforms to ensure a yes vote in the planned referendum in 2017.

The Guardian

How many dry runs have you been through to ensure a resounding yes to that question?

Huffington Post

During the referendum on alternative voting, his boss had been talking about the need to vote "yes" to ensure a left-of-centre coalition in future.

Independent

This inner circle believes that Raniere's teachings may be necessary to ensure humanity's survival (yes, you read that right), and that powerful people want to destroy him.

Vice

She has also encountered insecure party-givers who send out invitations months in advance to ensure that guests will say yes.

The New York Times - Style

Ryan said the service delivery and coordination committee of cabinet would ensure advertisements run by the official yes and no committees do not infringe on standards.

The Guardian

In an adversarial justice system we need to ensure we protect the vulnerable – and yes, that must begin with the victim.

The Guardian - Opinion

We will be here after Scotland has voted yes or no to ensure all those pledges made in the heat of the debate are not forgotten.

The Guardian - Opinion

Union officials who have pleaded guilty have admitted to throwing out hundreds of no votes and writing yes votes on ballots to ensure approval of the 1995 contract.

The New York Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Instead of using the awkward phrase "ensure yes", rephrase your sentence to use a more grammatically correct construction. For example, use "ensure a positive response" or "confirm agreement".

Common error

Avoid using "ensure yes" in formal writing. This phrase is grammatically incorrect and sounds unnatural. Always opt for clearer and more precise language to convey your intended meaning.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "ensure yes" is grammatically questionable and does not have a clear grammatical function. Typically, "ensure" functions as a transitive verb requiring a noun phrase or clause as its object. As noted by Ludwig AI, "yes" is an interjection, rendering the phrase grammatically unsound.

Expression frequency: Rare

Frequent in

News & Media

33%

Wiki

33%

Science

33%

Less common in

Formal & Business

0%

Reference

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "ensure yes" is considered grammatically incorrect and lacks a clearly defined meaning. Ludwig AI indicates that this phrase is not correct. Although it appears infrequently across various sources, including news and media outlets, its grammatical awkwardness makes it unsuitable for formal or professional writing. Alternative phrases like "confirm agreement" or "guarantee affirmation" offer clearer and more effective ways to convey the intended meaning of guaranteeing or confirming a positive response. For best practice, avoid using the phrase "ensure yes" and opt for grammatically sound alternatives.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

ensure affirmative answer

Replaces "yes" with the more formal "affirmative answer".

confirm positive reply

Uses "reply" instead of "yes", highlighting the act of responding.

confirm agreement

Focuses on obtaining a confirmed agreement rather than a simple "yes".

make certain of assent

Emphasizes the act of ensuring that assent or agreement is certain.

guarantee affirmation

Emphasizes a guaranteed positive response or affirmation.

ascertain positive response

Implies a process of finding out or confirming a positive response.

secure consent

Highlights the act of obtaining explicit consent.

assure positive confirmation

Focuses on providing assurance that confirmation will be positive.

validate positive response

Focuses on validating that a positive response is accurate and reliable.

verify compliance

Shifts the focus to verifying that a certain action or condition complies with requirements.

FAQs

How can I properly use "ensure" in a sentence?

The verb "ensure" requires a noun or pronoun as its object. For instance, you can say "ensure success" or "ensure that the door is locked". Avoid using it directly followed by "yes".

What's a better way to phrase "ensure yes"?

Instead of "ensure yes", try more accurate alternatives such as "confirm agreement" or "guarantee affirmation", depending on the specific context.

Is "ensure yes" grammatically correct?

No, "ensure yes" is not grammatically correct. The verb "ensure" needs a noun phrase or a clause as its object. "Yes" is an interjection, not a noun phrase or a clause. Ludwig AI identifies this as not correct.

When is it appropriate to use "ensure" in a sentence?

Use "ensure" when you want to express making certain that something will happen. For example, "We must ensure the project is completed on time" or "Ensure all data is backed up regularly".