make certain

USAGE SUMMARY

"make certain" is a correct and usable phrase in written English.
You can use it to express the idea of making something sure or certain. For example: "I need to make certain that I have all the necessary supplies to complete the project."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Wiki

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

59 human-written examples

(Taste to make certain).

The New York Times

And make certain your flash is off.

The New York Times

had agreed to make certain structural changes.

The New York Times

"We're going to step in and make certain it survives".

The New York Times

It should also make certain its findings are public.

The New York Times

"But when you feel economically threatened, you make certain decisions".

The New York Times

You would make certain that they are in separate photos.

The New York Times

We make certain assumptions about the necessity of care.

The New Yorker

Papp wanted to make certain changes in the play.

The New Yorker

She shook her head to make certain he was reassured.

The New Yorker

Newspapers, all the time, make certain stories their story.

The New York Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "make certain", ensure the context clearly indicates what action is being taken to achieve certainty. Specificity enhances clarity.

Common error

Avoid repetitive use of "make certain" in formal documents. Opt for synonyms like "ensure", "verify", or "guarantee" to maintain a professional tone and avoid sounding redundant.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "make certain" functions as a directive, urging the listener or reader to take necessary steps to ensure a specific outcome or condition is achieved. It also performs as an intensifier, reinforcing the importance of the action to be taken. Ludwig's examples show this usage across various contexts.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

42%

Wiki

34%

Formal & Business

8%

Less common in

Science

6%

Academia

5%

Reference

5%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "make certain" is a grammatically sound and frequently used phrase for emphasizing the importance of ensuring a specific action or outcome. As verified by Ludwig, its versatile nature lends itself to diverse contexts ranging from News & Media to Wiki guides. While alternatives such as "ensure" and "verify" can add nuance, being mindful of overusing the phrase, particularly in formal writing, is essential. Ludwig AI provides multiple real-world examples to show its usage across several situations.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

ensure

This alternative provides a direct synonym, emphasizing the act of guaranteeing a specific result.

make sure

This is a more informal synonym, indicating a casual yet determined effort to ensure something.

assure

This suggests a slightly stronger emphasis on removing doubt and giving confidence about a matter.

verify

It focuses on confirming the truth or accuracy of something, adding a dimension of validation.

confirm

This suggests establishing certainty about something previously uncertain, like checking a fact.

guarantee

This option emphasizes the assurance of a specific outcome, promising a result.

ascertain

This alternative focuses on discovering something definitively, adding an element of investigation.

double-check

This implies a repeated check to ensure accuracy and prevent errors, stressing thoroughness.

take care

Implies caution and proactive measures to ensure a desired outcome or avoid potential problems.

see to it

This emphasizes personal responsibility and action to guarantee a specific result.

FAQs

How can I use "make certain" in a sentence?

You can use "make certain" to express the need to ensure something happens or is true. For example, "Make certain you lock the door before leaving."

What are some alternatives to "make certain"?

You can use alternatives like "ensure", "verify", or "guarantee" depending on the specific context.

Is it better to use "make sure" or "make certain"?

"Make sure" is generally more informal, while "make certain" is slightly more formal. Use "make certain" in professional or academic contexts.

What's the difference between "make certain" and "ensure"?

While both phrases convey a similar meaning of guaranteeing a specific outcome, "ensure" is often used when you have direct control over the outcome, whereas "make certain" can apply even when you have less direct control. Ensure is also often considered slightly more formal.