just to make certain

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "just to make certain" is correct and usable in written English.
You can use it when you want to emphasize the importance of ensuring something is true or accurate. Example: "I double-checked the calculations just to make certain they were correct."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Wiki

Academia

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

15 human-written examples

At work he occasionally uses a diagnostic checklist program called Isabel, just to make certain he hasn't forgotten something.

The New York Times - Health

Free school meals are essential for so many more children, just to make certain they have the bare minimum their growing bodies and brains can live on.

The Guardian - Opinion

Lack of visual feedback limits the imaginary phone, but it isn't intended to completely replace the device, just to make certain interactions more convenient.

MIT Technology Review

She would test him for some of the diseases linked to Reynaud's -- just to make certain she wasn't missing anything -- but she suspected that he had come to the wrong kind of specialist.

The New York Times

But just to make certain the restrictions could not be changed she helped found the Marin Agricultural Land Trust, or MALT, which now has 47 ranches and dairies covering 32,000 acres.

The New York Times

I mean, I care a lot about things like the environment and homelessness, but I can't pretend to be someone I'm not just to make certain people think I'm interesting".

The Guardian - Music

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

45 human-written examples

I had radioed ahead, just to make sure certain lanes of traffic were opened for us so we could make it to the course with time to spare". The European lynchpin and world number one arrived at the course 10 minutes before his tee time.

BBC

The problem here is not just the lying ("Pants on Fire," according to Politifact), or the grimy reprise of the complaint, heard often in the Republican primaries, that Obama is the "Food Stamp President," whose goal in office is just to make sure that certain people — which ones? — can sit back, not work, "and they just send you your welfare check".

The New Yorker

I wanted everyone to keep re-examining their reasoning just to make sure we were all certain.

The New York Times - Magazine

You can also make sure to stay current in your field by continuing to take courses to refresh your memory about certain protocol or just to make sure you have the most up-to-date training on how to use technology in your workplace.

WikiHow

This sex tip, anyway, was that in place of a condom, one could use Saran Wrap, you just had to make certain things were well wrapped.

The New York Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "just to make certain", ensure the subsequent action clearly demonstrates the effort to confirm or verify something. It emphasizes thoroughness and attention to detail.

Common error

Avoid using "just to make certain" excessively in a single piece of writing. Overuse can make your writing sound repetitive and less impactful. Instead, vary your language by using synonyms like "just to be sure" or "to ensure".

Linguistic Context

The phrase "just to make certain" functions as an adverbial phrase that introduces a purpose or reason for an action. It indicates that the action is being taken as a precaution to ensure something is correct or accurate. Ludwig confirms its usability.

Expression frequency: Common

Frequent in

News & Media

40%

Wiki

20%

Academia

13%

Less common in

Science

13%

Formal & Business

7%

Reference

7%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

"Just to make certain" is a commonly used phrase to emphasize the importance of ensuring accuracy or correctness. Ludwig AI confirms its grammatical correctness and usability across various contexts. Predominantly found in news and media, it serves as an adverbial phrase that introduces a precautionary action for verification. While versatile, varying your language to avoid repetition enhances writing impact. Alternatives such as "to be absolutely sure" or "to ensure" can add nuance. Using "just to make certain" adds a layer of thoroughness to your communication.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

to be absolutely sure

Emphasizes a higher degree of certainty than the original phrase.

to ensure without a doubt

Highlights the intention of eliminating any uncertainty.

to guarantee beyond question

Focuses on providing a strong assurance.

for absolute confirmation

Specifies that the action is for verifying accuracy.

to double-check precisely

Suggests a careful and thorough review.

to verify unequivocally

Indicates a clear and undeniable verification process.

to confirm with certainty

Highlights the act of confirming something with a strong sense of certainty.

to ascertain definitively

Implies a formal and authoritative confirmation.

to determine conclusively

Focuses on reaching a final and unquestionable decision.

to secure assurance

Stresses the act of obtaining a guarantee.

FAQs

How can I rephrase "just to make certain" to sound more formal?

In more formal contexts, you can replace "just to make certain" with phrases like "to ensure", "to verify", or "for the purpose of confirming". These alternatives provide a more sophisticated tone while maintaining the same meaning.

What does "just to make certain" imply about the action being taken?

"Just to make certain" suggests that the action is a precautionary measure taken to eliminate any doubt or potential errors. It highlights the thoroughness and attention to detail in the process.

Is it redundant to use "just to make certain" if the context already implies verification?

While the context might imply verification, using "just to make certain" can add emphasis to the act of ensuring accuracy. However, be mindful of overuse, as it can make your writing sound repetitive. Consider using it when you want to explicitly highlight the extra care taken.

What's the difference between "just to make certain" and "just in case"?

"Just to make certain" is used when you want to verify something and eliminate doubt, while "just in case" is used to prepare for a possible future event. The former is about confirming present accuracy, while the latter is about future contingency planning.