he made certain that

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "he made certain that" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used when emphasizing that someone ensured or guaranteed a specific outcome or condition. Example: "He made certain that all the documents were submitted before the deadline."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

9 human-written examples

He made certain that the others were up to their elbows in blood, just as he was.

The New Yorker

He made certain that power was handed over to General Musharraf when his plane landed in Islamabad.

The New York Times

"When he got his opportunity, he said it shouldn't have taken that long and he made certain that when he had his hand on it, he would cut the timeline down.

The New York Times - Sports

Years later, when my father was a battalion commander, he made certain that a bugler played taps at funerals for soldiers in his unit; if one was not available, he played it himself.

The New York Times

He made certain that upon seeing his work people would say, "That's a Leyendecker!" Still, not much is known about him, which accounts for the book's limited, though entertaining, narrative.

The New York Times - Books

Anaheim's Jean-Sébastien Giguère has been the hottest goaltender of these playoffs, but Brodeur was the best goaltender in the regular season, and he made certain that tonight's early lead would stand.

The New York Times - Sports

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

46 human-written examples

At about 7 p.m. "he makes certain that I know it is time for play by placing his toy ever so gently in my crotch.

The New York Times

And he makes certain that his audiences, gathered at airports and restaurants for festive rallies, understand the weight of the race, as he sees it.

The New York Times

However, she attached conditions on her proposal that Mr. Lazio's aides have dismissed as untenable: that he make certain that a dozen or so independent committees that are financing television campaigns attacking Mrs. Clinton halt their efforts as well.

The New York Times

He made certain to underscore that bin Laden followed the trail he himself blazed.

Forbes

He made certain, along with the Motion Picture Research Council, that proposed industry standards were forwarded to members of National Association of Broadcasters (NAB), Institute of Radio Engineers (IRE), Acoustical Society of America (ASA) and Royal Musical Association RMAA).

Wikipedia

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "he made certain that" to emphasize the subject's proactive role in ensuring a specific outcome. It adds a sense of deliberation and control to the action.

Common error

While grammatically sound, "he made certain that" can sound overly formal in casual conversation. Consider using "he made sure that" in less formal settings.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "he made certain that" functions as a clause introducer, indicating that the subject took specific actions to guarantee a particular result. Ludwig examples illustrate its use in news and opinion pieces, confirming its role in reporting factual events and expressing intentional actions.

Expression frequency: Common

Frequent in

News & Media

90%

Encyclopedias

5%

Formal & Business

3%

Less common in

Science

1%

Wiki

1%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "he made certain that" is a grammatically correct and frequently used phrase that emphasizes a subject's proactive role in ensuring a particular outcome. Ludwig AI confirms its acceptability and common usage, particularly in news and media contexts. While slightly formal, it conveys a sense of control and intention, making it suitable for various writing styles, but be mindful of the tone in informal conversations. Consider alternatives like "he ensured that" or "he made sure that" depending on the desired level of formality.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

he ensured that

Focuses on the act of ensuring, implying a guarantee that something would happen.

he saw to it that

Emphasizes taking personal responsibility to ensure a specific result.

he guaranteed that

Highlights the certainty and reliability of the action or outcome.

he took care to ensure that

Adds a layer of deliberate effort and caution to the act of ensuring.

he made sure that

A more colloquial and less formal way of expressing the same idea.

he verified that

Implies that a step was taken to confirm or check a fact or action.

he ascertained that

Suggests a more formal and thorough investigation to confirm something.

he confirmed that

Focuses on the act of validating or establishing the truth of a particular statement or condition.

he established that

Highlights the action of setting up a condition or proving a point.

he determined that

Emphasizes a decision or conclusion reached after consideration.

FAQs

What does "he made certain that" mean?

The phrase "he made certain that" means that someone took action to ensure that something definitely happened or was the case. It suggests a level of intentionality and effort to guarantee a specific outcome.

What can I say instead of "he made certain that"?

You can use alternatives like "he ensured that", "he made sure that", or "he saw to it that" depending on the context.

Is it correct to say "he made sure that" instead of "he made certain that"?

Yes, "he made sure that" is a perfectly acceptable and often more common alternative to "he made certain that", especially in informal contexts. Both phrases convey the same basic meaning of ensuring something happens.

What is the difference between "he made certain that" and "he was certain that"?

"He made certain that" implies a proactive action taken to ensure something. In contrast, "he was certain that" expresses a state of belief or confidence in something, without necessarily implying any action taken.