Assure and ensure are spelled almost the same and often get swapped, but they point at different things. You assure a person. You ensure an outcome.
To assure is to tell someone something confidently, usually to make them feel less worried.
assure full definition →
To ensure is to make certain that something happens or is true.
ensure full definition →
| assure | ensure | |
|---|---|---|
| What it acts on | A person | A result or fact |
| Purpose | To comfort or reassure | To guarantee an outcome |
| Simple test | "I assure you" means trust me | "I ensure this happens" means I make it happen |
Assure a worried person. Ensure a result actually happens. If no person is being reassured, reach for ensure.
Save both words to GoVocab and review them until they stick.
Download on the App Store