Make sure Vs. ensure

[Rootkung]

Hi there,

I'm wondering if there is any difference between 'make sure' and 'ensure'.

ex. I can ensure you that the goods will be delivered on time.
I can make sure that the goods will be delivered on time.

To me, the latter sentence is a little bit weird.

Many thanks for your advice.:-D

Best regards,

 

[RMislander]

Hi there,

I'm wondering if there is any difference between 'make sure' and 'ensure'.

ex. I can ensure [STRIKE]you [/STRIKE]that the goods will be delivered on time.
I can make sure that the goods will be delivered on time.

Your first example could be "I can ensure that..." or "I can assure you that...," although "assure" means something something different than "ensure."


To "ensure" means to guarantee or confirm something to a certainty.
To "make sure" means to confirm something to a certainty.

I believe these are essentially synonymous.

 

[5jj]

The main difference between ensure (in BrE, insure in AmE) and make sure is that you cannot ensure a person. So your first sentence is incorrect. Possible sentences include:

I can/will ensure that the goods are/will be delivered on time.
I can/will make sure that the goods are/will be delivered on time.
I (can) assure you that the goods will be delivered on time