to make sure that

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "to make sure that" is both correct and usable in written English.
It is a phrase used to provide certainty or assurance that something will happen. For example, "We have to call the plumber to make sure that the pipes are fixed properly."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Wiki

Formal & Business

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

"I wanted to make sure that didn't happen".

The New York Times - Sports

We have to make sure that is us.

BBC

We need to make sure that never happens again.

BBC

I wanted to make sure that happened.

Huffington Post

I'm going to make sure that happens".

The Guardian - Sport

"We intend to make sure that does not happen again".

The New York Times

"The idea is to make sure that E.V.S.E.

The New York Times

It's our job to make sure that edge doesn't exist".

The New York Times - Magazine

They want to make sure that their experiences are great".

The New York Times

It is my job to make sure that doesn't happen.

The New Yorker

"I will be there to make sure that you can".

The New York Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "to make sure that" when you want to express a clear intention to confirm or guarantee a specific outcome. For example, "Double-check your work to make sure that all calculations are accurate."

Common error

Avoid using "to make sure that" when a simpler construction like "to ensure" or "to verify" suffices. For example, instead of saying "We need to make sure that we have all the documents", you could say "We need to ensure we have all the documents".

Linguistic Context

The phrase "to make sure that" functions as a subordinator, introducing a subordinate clause that expresses the purpose or reason for the action in the main clause. As Ludwig AI explains, this phrase is used to provide certainty or assurance.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

42%

Wiki

26%

Science

23%

Less common in

Formal & Business

5%

Reference

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "to make sure that" is a versatile and common expression used to indicate the purpose of ensuring or verifying something. Ludwig AI identifies the phrase as both correct and usable in written English. It appears most frequently in news and media, wiki, and scientific contexts, exhibiting a neutral register suitable for various communication types. While grammatically sound and widely used, consider alternatives like "to ensure that" for conciseness and avoid redundancy. Ultimately, "to make sure that" is a reliable choice for expressing intent and precaution in your writing.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

to ensure that

This alternative is more concise and formal.

to guarantee that

This alternative implies a stronger level of certainty.

to ascertain that

This alternative suggests a more formal and investigative approach to confirming something.

to verify that

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

to confirm that

This alternative emphasizes the act of establishing something as true or correct.

to see to it that

This alternative implies taking responsibility for ensuring something happens.

to take care that

This alternative suggests being cautious and attentive to ensure a desired outcome.

to check that

This alternative is more informal and emphasizes the act of inspecting or examining something.

to be certain that

This alternative highlights the state of being sure about something.

to assure oneself that

This alternative emphasizes the act of convincing oneself about something.

FAQs

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

Use "to make sure that" to indicate the purpose of an action, which is to confirm or guarantee something. For example, "I called her "to make sure that" she received the package."

What can I say instead of "to make sure that"?

You can use alternatives like "to ensure that", "to guarantee that", or "to verify that" depending on the context.

Which is correct, "to make sure that" or "to be sure that"?

Both ""to make sure that"" and "to be sure that" are correct, but they have slightly different connotations. "To make sure that" implies taking action to confirm something, while "to be sure that" emphasizes the state of being certain.

What's the difference between "to make sure that" and "to ensure that"?

"To make sure that" is a more common and slightly less formal way of saying "to ensure that". Both phrases express the intention to guarantee a certain outcome or condition.