to ensure

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase 'to ensure' is correct and can be used in written English.
This phrase can be used to express the idea of making sure something happens or to guarantee a desired outcome. For example: "We will take all necessary steps to ensure that our customers receive the highest quality of service."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Formal & Business

Wiki

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

To ensure fairness and competition.

The New York Times

We want to ensure both".

The New York Times

They hope to ensure they are.

The New York Times

They are updated constantly to ensure relevance.

The New York Times - Tech

Mr. Misrach also wanted to ensure interaction.

The New York Times

It aims to ensure rigorous verification.

The Economist

And how to ensure that they are?

The Economist

England have 26 games to ensure otherwise.

Independent

What do you do to ensure accuracy?

The New York Times

The reason was to ensure employee peace.

The New York Times

It is meant to ensure profitability.

The Economist

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When writing formally, use "to ensure" to clearly state the intention behind an action, improving the overall clarity of your writing.

Common error

While "to ensure" is perfectly valid, varying your vocabulary can enhance your writing. In less formal settings, consider using alternatives like "to make sure" or "to see that" for a more natural tone.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "to ensure" functions as an infinitive of purpose. It introduces a subordinate clause that explains the reason or intention behind an action. Ludwig AI confirms its grammatical correctness and provides numerous examples of its use in various contexts.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

30%

Science

25%

Formal & Business

20%

Less common in

Wiki

15%

Reference

5%

Encyclopedias

5%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "to ensure" serves as a grammatically sound and versatile expression used across various professional and academic contexts. According to Ludwig, it primarily functions to express intent, guarantee outcomes, and provide assurance. While frequent across news, scientific, and formal business domains, being mindful of overusing it in informal settings can improve writing style. Alternatives such as "to guarantee" or "to make sure" can add variety. As Ludwig AI confirms, "to ensure" is a reliable and effective way to state intentions and secure desired results in your writing.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

to make certain that

Directly expresses the action of confirming or verifying a specific condition.

in order to guarantee

Replaces 'ensure' with 'guarantee', emphasizing the assurance aspect.

with a view to ensuring

A more formal way of expressing the goal of ensuring something.

so as to secure

Emphasizes making something safe or certain, using 'secure' instead of 'ensure'.

with the aim of guaranteeing

Adds a purpose-driven nuance by using 'with the aim of'.

for the purpose of assuring

Formally states the intent to 'assure' a specific result.

with the intention of assuring

Highlights purposefulness, replacing 'ensure' with 'assuring'.

in an effort to safeguard

Highlights protection and preservation, using 'safeguard' in place of 'ensure'.

for the sake of guaranteeing

Emphasizes the value or importance of the result being guaranteed.

as a means of assuring

Focuses on the method employed to provide assurance.

FAQs

How can I use "to ensure" in a sentence?

The phrase "to ensure" is typically followed by a clause specifying the desired outcome. For example, "We need to check the data "to ensure" accuracy".

What are some alternatives to "to ensure"?

Alternatives include "to guarantee", "to assure", "to make sure", or "to see to it", depending on the context.

Is there a difference between "to ensure", "to assure", and "to insure"?

"To ensure" means to make certain something will happen. "To assure" means to remove someone's doubts. "To insure" refers specifically to protecting against financial loss. Using the correct word is crucial for clarity.

What's a more formal way to say "to ensure"?

More formal options include "in order to guarantee" or "with the aim of guaranteeing", which add a layer of formality and precision.