help ensure that

USAGE SUMMARY

"help ensure that" is a correct and usable phrase in written English.
It is used to describe when someone is doing something to ensure that a certain outcome will occur. For example, "The government is implementing a new program to help ensure that everyone has access to healthcare."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Formal & Business

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

56 human-written examples

To help ensure that patients stay in treatment, the health workers collect a deposit.

The New York Times

They should help ensure that more of your largess reaches its target, despite the complexities.

The New York Times

Two SIs were used to help ensure that subjects encoded signal duration on each trial.

Plosone

Our data suggest that prenatal care may help ensure that interventions occur in a timely manner.

BMC Pregnancy and Childbirth

Interactions at the core promoter thus help ensure that transcription is efficient, regulated, and fine-tuned.

BMC Genomics

Nurses can play a pivotal role to help ensure that referral processes function well.

BMC Nursing

Raising awareness among clinicians could also help ensure that prophylaxis is correctly used.

Emerging Infectious Diseases

UNICEF is mobilizing communities to help ensure that children stay in school.

Unicef

That would help ensure that taxpayers are repaid first.

The New York Times

Aid organisations can help ensure that these initiatives are successful.

The Guardian

This was to help ensure that the highest bidder won.

The New York Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "help ensure that", clearly state the specific action being taken and the desired outcome to enhance clarity and demonstrate a direct causal relationship. For instance, instead of saying "Training will help ensure that the project is successful", specify "Providing targeted training will help ensure that the project team has the skills needed for successful implementation".

Common error

Avoid using "help ensure that" when the action only marginally influences the outcome. It's more accurate to use softer language like "contribute to" or "assist with" if the action doesn't provide a strong guarantee.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "help ensure that" functions as a purpose connector, linking an action with its intended outcome. According to Ludwig, this phrase is correct and widely used. It indicates that an action is being taken to increase the likelihood of a specific result.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

50%

Science

30%

Formal & Business

15%

Less common in

Wiki

3%

Encyclopedias

1%

Reference

1%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "help ensure that" is a versatile phrase used to express the intention of taking action to increase the probability of a specific outcome. As confirmed by Ludwig, the phrase is considered correct and demonstrates a proactive approach. It is commonly found in news, scientific, and business contexts, indicating its broad applicability. When writing, it's important to clearly state the action being taken and to avoid overstating the certainty of the outcome. Remember that while it implies a contribution to a desired result, it doesn't provide an absolute guarantee.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

aid in guaranteeing that

Swaps "ensure" for "guarantee", emphasizing a stronger promise of a particular outcome.

assist in ensuring that

This alternative uses "assist" which implies a supportive role, slightly weakening the sense of direct responsibility compared to "help".

be instrumental in assuring that

Emphasizes the importance of the contribution; the action is crucial for achieving the outcome.

support the assurance that

Indicates providing backing or resources to ensure something happens.

contribute to ensuring that

This alternative suggests a less direct influence on the outcome, implying that other factors are also involved.

promote the guarantee that

Suggests actively advocating for or encouraging the guaranteed outcome.

facilitate the guarantee that

Focuses on making the process of guaranteeing easier or more likely.

play a part in ensuring that

Similar to 'contribute', but emphasizes participation in a larger effort to guarantee something.

lend a hand in assuring that

This phrase uses more informal language, suggesting a casual contribution to the desired result.

work toward ensuring that

This alternative focuses on the effort being made, rather than the guarantee of the outcome.

FAQs

How can I use "help ensure that" in a sentence?

Use "help ensure that" to indicate that a particular action is being taken to increase the likelihood of a specific outcome. For example, "Regular maintenance will "help ensure that" the equipment operates efficiently".

What are some alternatives to "help ensure that"?

You can use alternatives like "assist in ensuring that", "contribute to ensuring that", or "aid in guaranteeing that" depending on the specific nuance you want to convey.

Is there a difference between "help ensure that" and "ensure that"?

"Ensure that" implies a direct and complete guarantee, while ""help ensure that"" suggests contributing to the outcome without a full guarantee. The former is stronger and more definitive.

When is it appropriate to use "help ensure that" instead of "guarantee that"?

Use ""help ensure that"" when you are contributing to a desired result, but cannot promise it with certainty. "Guarantee that" is appropriate only when you have complete control over the outcome.