making certain that

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "making certain that" is correct and usable in written English.
You can use it when you want to emphasize the importance of ensuring something is done or confirmed. Example: "I will be making certain that all the documents are submitted before the deadline."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Academia

Formal & Business

Science

Wiki

Encyclopedias

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

Making certain that follow up is completed each afternoon, whether by that individual or a colleague, speeds up the healing process.

HuffPost

But he's making certain that it leaves its mark.

The New York Times - Arts

"One's second term is a matter of looking forward, making certain that things don't go stale.

The New Yorker

Now her campaign is making certain that her name, Alicia Machado, is becoming ubiquitous.

The New York Times

Or, at the least, making certain that appellate court review has taken place with the correct standard in mind.

Harvard University

But the emphasis should be on winning games and making certain that only teams with winning records reach the playoffs.

The New York Times - Sports

It also allows Republicans to say they are making certain that troops fighting overseas do not miss a paycheck.

The New York Times

From that moment, every spare moment was spent practicing it, making certain that I knew and could convey every line.

The New Yorker

Most of all, the constant military campaign of making certain that three very curious children didn't get lost.

The Guardian - Opinion

He pitched in with the work, making certain that the government got its beef shipments on time.

The Washington Post

We are now making certain that our procedures for raising complaints and reviewing them are fair to all involved, effective and clear.

Massachusetts Institute of Technology

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Replace weaker, less descriptive verbs in order to add strength and emphasis to the sentence.

Common error

Avoid using "making certain that" repeatedly within a short passage. Vary your sentence structure and vocabulary by using alternatives like "ensuring that", "verifying that", or restructuring the sentence to achieve the same emphasis without repetition.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "making certain that" functions as a connector or introductory phrase, typically preceding a clause that expresses a necessary condition or action. Ludwig AI validates this usage pattern in numerous real-world examples.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

49%

Academia

13%

Formal & Business

11%

Less common in

Science

9%

Wiki

9%

Encyclopedias

8%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "making certain that" is a versatile phrase used to emphasize the importance of guaranteeing a specific outcome. Ludwig AI confirms its grammatical correctness and widespread use across diverse contexts, from news and academia to business. While largely interchangeable with alternatives like "ensuring that", this phrase carries a slightly stronger emphasis on active effort. To avoid redundancy, vary your phrasing by incorporating synonyms, such as "verifying that" or "assuring that", and always ensure the following clause clearly states the desired outcome. Keep in mind that while the phrase is appropriate in formal and professional writing, it can also be suitably used in casual conversation.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

ensuring that

This alternative replaces "making certain" with the single word "ensuring", which maintains a similar level of formality and emphasis.

assuring that

Similar to "ensuring that", this alternative emphasizes the act of guaranteeing or promising something.

guaranteeing that

This phrase strengthens the level of assurance, implying a firm promise or commitment.

verifying that

This alternative focuses on confirming the truth or accuracy of something.

confirming that

Similar to verifying, but may imply a more formal or official confirmation.

seeing to it that

This alternative is slightly more informal and emphasizes taking action to ensure a specific outcome.

taking care that

This phrase highlights the attentiveness and caution involved in ensuring something.

making sure that

A more informal variation of the original phrase, suitable for everyday conversation.

to ensure that

This alternative uses a slightly more concise and direct structure, suitable for formal writing.

taking precautions to ensure

This option broadens the scope to include proactive measures taken for assurance.

FAQs

How can I use "making certain that" in a sentence?

Use "making certain that" to emphasize the importance of a specific action or outcome. For example: "I am "making certain that" all the documents are submitted before the deadline."

What are some alternatives to "making certain that"?

You can use alternatives like "ensuring that", "assuring that", or "guaranteeing that" to convey a similar meaning.

Is it better to use "making sure that" or "making certain that"?

"Making sure that" is a more informal version, while ""making certain that"" is slightly more formal. Choose the phrase that best fits the tone and context of your writing.

What is the difference between "ensuring that" and "making certain that"?

The phrases "ensuring that" and ""making certain that"" are largely interchangeable. "Making certain that" might carry a slightly stronger emphasis on the active effort involved in achieving the desired outcome.