we made certain that

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "we made certain that" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used when you want to express that you ensured or confirmed something was done or was the case. Example: "Before finalizing the project, we made certain that all team members had reviewed the document thoroughly."

✓ Grammatically correct

Science

News & Media

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

4 human-written examples

General Groves noted in his memoirs that "We made certain that each member of the project thoroughly understood his part in the total effort; that, and nothing more".

Wikipedia

In our final days before the lease expired, we made certain that a memory had been made in each and every corner of the house.

Vice

To account for this, we made certain that all participants were exposed to all odorants before going into the scanner (when they rated the pleasantness, intensity and nameability of all odorants).

Plosone

By doing so, we made certain that the results of the present study are not contaminated by other occupations.

BMC Musculoskeletal Disorders

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

52 human-written examples

"We make certain that the economic development professionals making these decisions have no involvement in the campaign fund-raising".

The New York Times

All of us want to make sure that we defeat rightwing extremism, that we make certain that no Republican becomes president," he said.

The Guardian

"Some people come here with a romantic idea of what it means to be in the army," says Brigadier Philip Mostyn, commanding officer at Westbury, "and we make certain that they have no illusions about the seriousness of the business they wish to join".

The Guardian - Money

and "We will not rest until we make certain that government-run health care [e.g., Medicare] is ended".

Huffington Post

With true radical zeal, Price has said, "We will not rest until we make certain that government-run health care [e.g., Medicare] is ended".

Huffington Post

In fact, he has threatened, "We will not rest until we make certain that government-run health care [i.e., Medicare and Medicare] is ended".

Huffington Post

Salivation at the sight of the image is allowed, just so long as we make certain that we salivate while thinking about why and how we feel so compelled.

Huffington Post

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "we made certain that", ensure that the context clearly indicates who "we" refers to, especially in formal writing. Clarity is key to avoid ambiguity.

Common error

While grammatically sound, "we made certain that" can sound overly formal in casual conversation. Opt for simpler alternatives like "we made sure" in informal settings.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "we made certain that" functions as a clause introducer, setting up a dependent clause that specifies what action was taken to ensure a particular outcome. Ludwig AI confirms this phrase is usable in written English, as can be seen in Ludwig examples.

Expression frequency: Rare

Frequent in

News & Media

50%

Science

50%

Formal & Business

0%

Less common in

Wiki

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Social Media

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "we made certain that" is a grammatically sound way to express assurance and proactive action. While Ludwig AI states the phrase is indeed usable in written English, it appears less frequently than alternatives like "we made sure that". Its usage is generally appropriate for neutral to professional contexts, appearing in news, media, and scientific publications. When writing, consider the level of formality required and whether a simpler alternative might be more suitable for your audience.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

we ensured that

Replaces "made certain" with a more direct synonym, emphasizing the act of guaranteeing something.

we guaranteed that

Highlights the act of providing a formal assurance, often implying a promise or commitment.

we verified that

Focuses on confirming the truth or accuracy of something, rather than simply ensuring it.

we confirmed that

Similar to "verified", but can also imply a more informal confirmation.

we ascertained that

Indicates a more thorough and careful effort to discover something for certain.

we took care that

Emphasizes the attentiveness and effort involved in ensuring a specific result.

we saw to it that

An idiomatic expression indicating that one took specific action to ensure something happened.

we saw that

More concise version of "we saw to it that" with a more subtle difference in nuance.

we established that

Focuses on proving or demonstrating something to be true or factual.

we determined that

Implies a careful investigation or calculation leading to a firm conclusion.

FAQs

How can I use "we made certain that" in a sentence?

Use "we made certain that" to express that you ensured something was done or was the case. For example: "We made certain that all the data was backed up before the system update."

What can I say instead of "we made certain that"?

You can use alternatives like "we ensured that", "we guaranteed that", or "we verified that" depending on the context.

Is it better to say "we made sure that" or "we made certain that"?

"We made sure that" is generally more informal and common, while "we made certain that" is more formal and emphasizes a higher degree of assurance. The best choice depends on the context.

What is the difference between "we made certain that" and "we confirmed that"?

"We made certain that" emphasizes the action taken to ensure a specific outcome, while "we confirmed that" focuses on verifying the accuracy or truth of something.