to make double sure

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "to make double sure" is correct and usable in written English.
It is used to emphasize that something was checked or done twice to ensure accuracy. For example, "I made double sure the door was locked before I left the house."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Wiki

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

2 human-written examples

To make double sure, and to give the impression of broad support, two safe government seats had been vacated to allow him to win by-elections to the lower house of parliament a constitutional requirement for the prime minister.

The Economist

He was sliding the metal security gate over the front of his store, padlocking it, then shaking the gate to make double sure it was locked.

Huffington Post

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

58 human-written examples

The Briton told the Eurodressage website  : "Last week has been hell [but] British Dressage contacted the FEI to make double-sure no one had registered Uthopia, and it seems they are all too late".

BBC

They want to make double-sure their kids have every opportunity and then some.

Huffington Post

A state of emergency has been officially declared in the area, international press have been banned, checkpoints have sprung up and the whole population's been prohibited from voting in the next election just to make double-sure Nazarbayev doesn't get embarrassed.

Vice

Make double sure that you have enough friendship.

WikiHow

Make double sure that she is really manipulating you.

WikiHow

"I want to make double-dog sure that we have the tools necessary" to make sure federal loans continue to be available, Education Secretary Margaret Spellings said in an interview on Tuesday.

The New York Times

I've even waited an extra two months to make extra-double sure I wasn't politicizing the tragedy.

Huffington Post

"You check yourself to make sure, double check to make sure, that anything that's going into your body is safe.

The Guardian - Sport

Glue the whole mess together with superglue (we're serious) and, to make extra-double-sure it's not going to open up and ruin your fun, put tape on top of the whole enchilada.

Vice

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "to make double sure" when you want to emphasize that an action was taken to eliminate any possibility of error or uncertainty. It adds a layer of diligence to your statement.

Common error

While effective for emphasis, overuse of "to make double sure" can make your writing sound repetitive. Vary your language with synonyms like "to ensure certainty" or "to double check".

Linguistic Context

The phrase "to make double sure" functions as an adverbial phrase of purpose. It modifies a verb, indicating the reason why an action is performed. Ludwig AI confirms its usability in written English.

Expression frequency: Rare

Frequent in

News & Media

50%

Wiki

50%

Science

0%

Less common in

Formal & Business

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "to make double sure" is a grammatically correct phrase used to emphasize the act of taking extra precautions to eliminate uncertainty. Ludwig AI confirms its validity. While relatively infrequent, it's found in news, media, and wiki contexts, indicating a neutral register. For varied writing, consider alternatives like "to double check" or "to ensure certainty" to avoid repetition. Overall, it's a useful phrase for adding emphasis to your writing when needed.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

to double check

A shorter, more direct way of expressing the same concept.

to make certain beyond any doubt

Adds emphasis on removing any possibility of doubt, strengthening the original intent.

to be absolutely certain

Highlights the state of being certain, rather than the act of ensuring it.

to verify twice

Focuses specifically on the act of verifying something on two separate occasions.

to ensure certainty

Focuses on achieving certainty, omitting the doubling aspect of "double sure".

to confirm without a shadow of a doubt

Stresses the act of confirming something, removing the possibility of any doubt.

to leave no doubt

Emphasizes the removal of doubt, shifting the focus from assurance to clarity.

to guarantee accuracy

Focuses on guaranteeing accuracy, suitable for contexts where precision is key.

to take extra precautions

Highlights the act of taking precautions, broadening the scope beyond just ensuring.

to dot the i's and cross the t's

An idiomatic expression meaning to be meticulous; more figurative than the original phrase.

FAQs

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

You can use "to make double sure" to emphasize that you took extra steps to verify something, like, "I checked the door twice to make double sure it was locked."

What's a more concise way to say "to make double sure"?

A more concise alternative to "to make double sure" is "to double check", which conveys the same meaning with fewer words.

Is it redundant to say "to make double sure"?

While "to make double sure" might seem redundant, it emphasizes the thoroughness of the action taken, highlighting a higher level of diligence than simply saying "to make sure".

What are some alternatives to "to make double sure" that aren't repetitive?

To avoid repetition, consider using phrases like "to ensure certainty", "to be absolutely certain", or "to confirm without a shadow of a doubt" depending on the context.