they made sure

USAGE SUMMARY

"they made sure" is a grammatically correct phrase and is commonly used in written English.
It is used to indicate that someone or a group of people took extra care or put in effort to ensure something was done correctly or as desired. Example: In preparation for their trip, they made sure to pack all the necessary documents and double-checked the itinerary.

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Formal & Business

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

57 human-written examples

"They made sure I was O.K.

The New York Times

They made sure to invite some women.

The New Yorker

Elections officials said they made sure the registrations were processed.

The New York Times

They made sure they looked even-toned and blemish-free.

The New York Times

And, most of all, they made sure everyone was fine.

The New York Times - Sports

They made sure toenails were trimmed and meals were square.

The New Yorker

They made sure I received the best schooling.

The New York Times

They made sure that A.I.G. clients had been evacuated.

The New Yorker

As the clock ticked down, they made sure.

The Guardian - Sport

They made sure the table was always full.

The Guardian - Lifestyle

They made sure my last name wasn't used anywhere.

The Guardian - Opinion

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "they made sure", clearly specify who "they" refers to, and what action "they" took to ensure the desired outcome. This improves clarity and avoids ambiguity.

Common error

Avoid using "they made sure" without a clear antecedent for "they". Readers should easily understand who is being referred to. For example, instead of "They made sure the event was successful", write "The organizers "they made sure" the event was successful".

Linguistic Context

The phrase "they made sure" functions as a verbal phrase, typically used within a clause to express that a group or entity took specific actions to guarantee a particular outcome or condition. As Ludwig AI indicates, this is a grammatically correct and commonly used phrase.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

67%

Formal & Business

17%

Science

16%

Less common in

Academia

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Wiki

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "they made sure" is a versatile and commonly used phrase to convey that a group took action to ensure a specific result. As Ludwig AI confirms, it is grammatically sound and appropriate for a wide range of contexts, including news, business, and general conversation. When using the phrase, clarity is key: be sure to specify who "they" refers to. Alternatives like "they ensured" or "they took care to" can add subtle nuances to your writing. With its widespread usage across authoritative sources like The New York Times and The Guardian, "they made sure" is a valuable addition to any writer's toolkit.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

they ensured

Focuses on guaranteeing a specific result or condition.

they took care to

Emphasizes the effort and attention given to achieve something.

they saw to it that

Highlights the act of overseeing and managing a task.

they verified

Focuses on confirming the accuracy or truth of something.

they confirmed

Highlights establishing something definitively.

they double-checked

Implies a review process to avoid errors or issues.

they ascertained

Formal synonym for verifying, emphasizing thorough investigation.

they guaranteed

Focuses on providing assurance of a specific outcome.

they attended to

Highlights giving care and attention to something.

they watched over

Implies providing protection and supervision.

FAQs

How can I use "they made sure" in a sentence?

Use "they made sure" to indicate that a group took specific steps to guarantee a result. For example, "The team "they made sure" all safety protocols were followed before starting the experiment".

What are some alternatives to "they made sure"?

You can use alternatives like "they ensured", "they took care to", or "they saw to it that" depending on the specific nuance you want to convey.

Is it always necessary to specify who "they" refers to when using "they made sure"?

While not always grammatically required, specifying who "they" refers to enhances clarity and prevents misinterpretation, especially in formal writing.

What is the difference between "they made sure" and "they ensured"?

"They made sure" implies a process or series of actions taken to achieve a result, while "they ensured" suggests a guarantee that something will happen. "They "they made sure" all doors were locked" vs. "They ensured the package arrived on time".