make sure you don't

USAGE SUMMARY

"make sure you don't" is correct and usable in written English.
You can use it to express caution or to provide advice about not doing something, such as "Make sure you don't forget to call your grandparents this week."

✓ Grammatically correct

Wiki

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

Make sure you don't transfer water elsewhere".

Biological Invasions

Make sure you don't oversleep.

WikiHow

Make sure you don't overspend.

WikiHow

Make sure you don't swallow the gel.

WikiHow

Make sure you don't run over anyone.

WikiHow

Make sure you don't loose the pieces.

WikiHow

Make sure you don't know the person.

WikiHow

Make sure you don't forget the holes!

WikiHow

Make sure you don't miss your stop.

WikiHow

when exercising make sure you don't eat.

WikiHow

Make sure you don't apply too much.

WikiHow

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When giving instructions or advice, use "make sure you don't" to clearly communicate what actions should be avoided to achieve a desired outcome.

Common error

Avoid stacking negative clauses. Instead of saying "Make sure you don't not do something", rephrase it positively to maintain clarity and conciseness.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "make sure you don't" functions as a directive or an advisory expression. It is used to instruct or advise someone to avoid a particular action or behavior. As confirmed by Ludwig AI, it's a grammatically correct and usable phrase for expressing caution.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

Wiki

85%

Science

10%

Formal & Business

2%

Less common in

News & Media

1%

Encyclopedias

1%

Social Media

1%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "make sure you don't" is a grammatically sound and commonly used phrase to advise or instruct someone to avoid a specific action, as validated by Ludwig AI. It is frequently found in informal contexts, such as wikiHow articles, and serves the purpose of preventing negative outcomes. While primarily informal, remember to adjust the tone and register based on the context, opting for more formal alternatives in business or academic settings. Be mindful of potential negative stacking and prioritize positive phrasing for enhanced clarity.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

Be certain not to

Replaces "make sure" with "be certain", emphasizing assurance.

Ensure you avoid

Changes the structure to directly state avoidance.

See to it that you don't

Adds a sense of responsibility to the directive.

Take care not to

Emphasizes caution in avoiding something.

Avoid under any circumstances

Highlights the importance of avoidance.

Be sure to not

A more direct way of expressing the necessity of avoiding an action.

Don't you dare

Adds a sense of warning or prohibition.

Under no circumstances

Similar to "avoid under any circumstances" but in more strict format.

Remember not to

Emphasizes the importance of remembering to avoid something.

Do not

A straightforward way to prohibit an action.

FAQs

How can I use "make sure you don't" in a sentence?

You can use "make sure you don't" to advise someone against doing something. For instance, "Make sure you don't forget to bring your passport" reminds the person to avoid forgetting their passport.

What's a more formal alternative to "make sure you don't"?

In formal contexts, consider using "ensure that you avoid" or "be certain not to" instead of "make sure you don't". For example, "Ensure that you avoid any disruptions during the meeting."

Is it ever incorrect to use "make sure you don't"?

While grammatically correct, overusing negative constructions like "make sure you don't" can make your writing sound convoluted. Strive for positive phrasing where possible to enhance clarity and readability.

What's the difference between "make sure you don't" and "be careful not to"?

"Make sure you don't" is a directive emphasizing prevention, while "be careful not to" suggests caution. The former is stronger, implying a greater need to avoid something.