made sure that

USAGE SUMMARY

"made sure that" is correct and usable in written English.
You can use "made sure that" to emphasize that you or someone else took specific steps to ensure something would happen. Example: I made sure that the project was completed on time.

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Formal & Business

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

Goldman and the other underwriters made sure that would happen.

The New Yorker

Police made sure that was not really a question.

Los Angeles Times

He made sure that it did.

The New Yorker

"We have made sure that we reimbursed".

The New York Times

"We made sure that every agency knew".

The New York Times

So the officials made sure that the drapes were stocked.

The New Yorker

Valenti also made sure that attacks did not become personal.

The New Yorker

Security forces made sure that any protest action quickly faded.

The New York Times

Hence it was made sure that it remains blocked.

The New York Times

We have made sure that they are isolated.

The New York Times

And he made sure that opposition was crushed.

The Economist

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "made sure that" to clearly indicate that specific actions were taken to achieve a desired result, leaving no ambiguity about the intention and effort involved.

Common error

Avoid using "made sure that" repetitively in close proximity. Vary your language by using synonyms like "ensured that" or "took care that" to maintain reader engagement.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "made sure that" functions as a connector introducing a dependent clause that explains the result of a previous action. It emphasizes the intentionality and effort put into achieving a specific outcome, as supported by Ludwig examples.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

52%

Science

35%

Formal & Business

5%

Less common in

Wiki

3%

Reference

0%

Social Media

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "made sure that" is a versatile phrase used to indicate proactive measures taken to ensure a specific outcome. Ludwig AI confirms its grammatical correctness and frequent usage across diverse contexts, including news, science, and formal business settings. To enhance writing, vary its usage with synonyms like "ensured that" and avoid overuse. This phrase serves to emphasize intention and causality in a clear and accessible manner.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

ensured that

This alternative provides a direct synonym, emphasizing the act of guaranteeing a particular outcome.

guaranteed that

Shares a similar meaning but puts greater emphasis on providing a formal assurance or promise.

saw to it that

Offers a more informal way to express ensuring something, implying personal attention to the matter.

took care that

Highlights the element of caution and diligence in ensuring something is done correctly.

ascertained that

Implies a process of investigation or discovery to confirm that something is the case.

verified that

Focuses on confirming the truth or accuracy of something.

confirmed that

This alternative emphasizes the act of establishing certainty about something, often through evidence.

determined that

Indicates a firm decision or conclusion reached after consideration.

established that

Suggests setting something up or proving something to be true.

secured that

Emphasizes the effort made to protect or obtain a certain outcome.

FAQs

How can I use "made sure that" in a sentence?

The phrase "made sure that" is used to indicate that someone took specific actions to guarantee a particular outcome. For example, "I made sure that all the doors were locked before leaving."

What can I say instead of "made sure that"?

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

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

The correct tense depends on the context. Use "make sure that" for instructions or future actions. Use "made sure that" when referring to actions completed in the past.

What's the difference between "made sure that" and "confirmed that"?

"Made sure that" implies taking action to achieve a result. "Confirmed that" means verifying that something is already true. For example, "I made sure that the oven was off" versus "I confirmed that the oven was off."