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make sure — to check or confirm that something is true, done, or will happen

Part of speech: VERB

Definition: to check or confirm that something is true, done, or will happen

Pronunciation (IPA): /meɪk ʃʊr/

Example Sentences

  • My mom always says, 'Make sure you brush your teeth!' even though I'm 25 years old.
  • Before the exam, make sure you bring a pencil, not a banana.
  • Please make sure the email is sent to the correct address before you click send.

make sure

VERB

[/meɪk ʃʊr/]

to check or confirm that something is true, done, or will happen

Before leaving, she double-checks the stove to make sure it's off.
💡 Concept

Before leaving, she double-checks the stove to make sure it's off.

MAKE(create) + SURE(certain) — by actively pulling the heavy rope, the climber decided to MAKE(create) his safety completely SURE(certain) and make sure he wouldn't fall.
🧠 Mnemonic

MAKE(create) + SURE(certain) — by actively pulling the heavy rope, the climber decided to MAKE(create) his safety completely SURE(certain) and make sure he wouldn't fall.

To keep the water completely pure for the final cure, the scientist used a magnifying glass to make sure.
🎵 Rhyme

To keep the water completely pure for the final cure, the scientist used a magnifying glass to make sure.

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🎤Pronunciation

🇺🇸 US/meɪk ʃʊr/
🇬🇧 UK/meɪk ʃɔː/

🌳Etymology

Origin

Make sure combines make, derived from Latin facere (to make, do), and sure, from Latin securus (safe, secure). The phrase literally means to make something certain or secure, evolving from Middle English to denote the act of ensuring or verifying something beyond doubt.

Breakdown

make (Old English macian, from Latin facere—to make) + sure (Old French seur, from Latin securus—safe, secure).

🎵Rhyme

for sure
pure
cure
endure

🔗Collocations

make sure that
make sure to do something
just to make sure
make sure of something
always make sure
please make sure

📝Examples

😄 Fun example

“My mom always says, 'Make sure you brush your teeth!' even though I'm 25 years old.”

😄 Fun example

“Before the exam, make sure you bring a pencil, not a banana.”

“Please make sure the email is sent to the correct address before you click send.”

“She made sure her cat didn't escape while the door was open.”

😄 Fun example

“Make sure you double-check your answers, unless you enjoy surprises on your report card.”

📚Related Words

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