make sure to understand

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "make sure to understand" is correct and usable in written English.
You can use it when emphasizing the importance of comprehension in a particular context or instruction. Example: "Before proceeding with the project, make sure to understand the requirements thoroughly."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Academia

Wiki

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

13 human-written examples

Before enabling any of these programs students, faculty, or staff must read the fine print, make sure to understand the program itself, and only use such programs lawfully.

Stanford University

Make sure to understand what major industries employ or concern their constituents and what their stances may be on the issue.

Massachusetts Institute of Technology

Make sure to understand that p-values from data analysis packages does not tell you that the chance the model (A*B+C)*D is (one minus p-value)%.

Harvard University

We can also make sure to understand the path of reporting — that is the step by step process of how issues are reported and dealt within the organisation.

BBC

If a brand experiences sticker shock from a potential influencer, they should make sure to understand exactly what they're paying for, whether it's reach, engagement or notoriety.

Forbes

However, many freelancers you decide to hire, make sure to understand your tax liability to them.

Huffington Post

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

47 human-written examples

He also made sure to understand the company's financial statements backward and forward and to put the growth plan in his head onto paper.

The New York Times

Make sure to be clear so he understands.

WikiHow

And now, we have a quiz to make sure you understand when to use third conditional.

BBC

Because online dating is so superficial by design, you have to make sure you understand how to do photos right.

Vice

Orr: "I want to make sure I understand your answer to my question?

The Guardian

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

In academic writing, while grammatically correct, consider using more formal alternatives like "ensure you comprehend" for enhanced clarity and precision.

Common error

Don't use "make sure to understand" vaguely. Always specify what needs to be understood to avoid confusion. For instance, instead of "Make sure to understand", specify "Make sure to understand the project requirements."

Linguistic Context

The phrase "make sure to understand" functions as an imperative, urging the listener or reader to ensure they have a firm grasp of something. As shown in Ludwig, it's often used in instructional contexts or when emphasizing the importance of comprehension.

Expression frequency: Common

Frequent in

News & Media

32%

Academia

23%

Wiki

18%

Less common in

Science

13%

Formal & Business

7%

Encyclopedias

7%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "make sure to understand" is a grammatically sound and commonly used imperative phrase designed to emphasize the importance of comprehension across various contexts. According to Ludwig, the phrase is used in news, academic, and informal settings. While versatile, it can be replaced with more formal alternatives like "ensure you comprehend" in academic writing. The key is to use it when you want to explicitly direct someone to fully grasp a concept or instruction. Remember to specify what needs to be understood to prevent ambiguity and maximize clarity.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

ensure you comprehend

Replaces "make sure" with "ensure", which is slightly more formal, and uses "comprehend" instead of "understand" to emphasize thorough understanding.

confirm your understanding

Similar to "verify your comprehension", this phrase emphasizes the act of confirming that understanding has been achieved.

be certain to grasp

Uses "be certain" instead of "make sure" and "grasp" instead of "understand", conveying a sense of assurance and complete understanding.

verify your comprehension

Replaces "make sure" with "verify", highlighting the act of checking understanding. "Comprehension" is used instead of "understand" to indicate a deeper level of understanding.

ascertain that you follow

This is a more formal alternative, replacing "make sure" with "ascertain" and "understand" with "follow", which implies understanding the logical progression of something.

take care to apprehend

This phrase is a bit more elevated, using "take care" to indicate diligence and "apprehend" to mean fully grasp the meaning.

assure your awareness

This alternative focuses on ensuring awareness of the subject matter, which is a prerequisite for understanding.

make certain of your awareness

Emphasizes the certainty of being aware or conscious of something, closely linked to understanding.

guarantee your insight

Uses "guarantee" for emphasis and "insight" to imply a deeper, more intuitive understanding.

be sure to learn

Shifts the focus slightly to the process of learning as a means to understanding.

FAQs

What does "make sure to understand" mean?

The phrase "make sure to understand" means to ensure that you fully grasp and comprehend something. It emphasizes the importance of not just hearing or reading something, but truly knowing what it means and how it applies.

How can I use "make sure to understand" in a sentence?

You can use "make sure to understand" when giving instructions or emphasizing the importance of comprehending something. For example: "Before starting the exam, "make sure to understand" the instructions carefully."

What can I say instead of "make sure to understand"?

You can use alternatives like "ensure you comprehend", "be certain to grasp", or "verify your comprehension" depending on the context.

Is it better to say "make sure you understand" or "make sure to understand"?

Both "make sure you understand" and "make sure to understand" are grammatically correct and commonly used. The choice between them often depends on personal preference or stylistic considerations. However, "make sure to understand" tends to be slightly more direct and imperative.