make sure they get

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "make sure they get" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used when you want to emphasize the importance of ensuring that someone receives or understands something. Example: "Please make sure they get the updated schedule before the meeting."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Wiki

Formal & Business

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

Make sure they get plenty of water.

The New York Times

Make sure they get a little water.

The New Yorker

Instead, make sure they get enough support.

Harvard Business Review

"We're going to make sure they get the foundations".

The New Yorker

No, but everyone should make sure they get enough sleep.

The Guardian - Lifestyle

"We owe them a vote, and I will make sure they get a vote".

The New York Times

It was everyone's job to anticipate problems and make sure they get solved.

The New York Times

I'll take them around myself to make sure they get in".

The New Yorker

I plan to do everything possible to make sure they get it.

The Guardian

The publishers just want to make sure they get their books listed".

The New York Times - Magazine

Vegetarians have to make sure they get plenty of vitamin B12.

The New York Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

To emphasize the effort involved, consider phrasing such as "take steps to ensure they get" or "see to it that they get".

Common error

Be specific about what "they" are supposed to get. Vague references can lead to miscommunication. For instance, instead of "Make sure they get it", say "Make sure they get the instructions".

Linguistic Context

"Make sure they get" functions as a directive phrase, used to instruct or advise someone to take necessary actions. As Ludwig AI highlights, this construction is both grammatically correct and widely applicable in diverse scenarios.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

63%

Wiki

20%

Formal & Business

5%

Less common in

Science

1%

Encyclopedias

0%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "make sure they get" is a grammatically correct and versatile phrase, suitable for a variety of contexts where ensuring a particular outcome is crucial. Ludwig AI confirms its validity and common usage. While its informality may not always be suitable for formal settings, it remains a powerful and clear way to instruct or advise someone to take action. Consider the specific context and audience when using this phrase, and remember to be clear about what "they" are supposed to get to avoid ambiguity.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

ensure they receive

Replaces "make sure" with the more formal "ensure" and "get" with "receive".

guarantee they obtain

Uses "guarantee" to emphasize certainty and "obtain" as a more formal substitute for "get".

see to it that they acquire

More emphatic and formal, using "see to it" and "acquire" instead of "make sure" and "get".

take steps to ensure they have

Focuses on the actions taken to achieve the desired outcome, replacing "get" with "have".

confirm they are provided with

Shifts the focus to the act of providing, using a passive construction.

verify they secure

Uses "verify" to stress the checking aspect and "secure" as a stronger alternative to "get".

assure they gain possession of

Emphasizes the act of gaining possession in a more formal way.

be certain they come by

Replaces "make sure" with "be certain", and "get" with the more colloquial "come by".

check that they are given

Focuses on the act of giving and checking the result.

make certain they are granted

Uses "make certain" to replace "make sure", and "granted" instead of "get", emphasizing permission or bestowal.

FAQs

How can I rephrase "make sure they get" in a formal context?

In formal contexts, consider using alternatives like "ensure they receive" or "guarantee they obtain". These options convey a similar meaning with a more professional tone.

What's a more emphatic way to say "make sure they get"?

For emphasis, you could use phrases like "see to it that they acquire" or "take steps to ensure they have". These options highlight the effort or intention behind ensuring the outcome.

Is "make sure they get" appropriate for all audiences?

While generally acceptable, "make sure they get" might sound too informal for some audiences. Adjust your language based on the context and relationship with your audience. Using something like "confirm they are provided with" would be considered to be more polite.

What does "make sure they get" imply?

The phrase "make sure they get" implies a degree of responsibility or effort on your part to ensure that someone receives or obtains something. The context usually dictates the level of effort or formality required.