24 Other Ways to Say “Make Sure”

“Make sure” is a phrase we often rely on when we want to emphasize the importance of being certain that something has been done, completed correctly, or hasn’t been forgotten. For example, when someone says, “Make sure you lock the door,” they are asking for assurance that this action will be completed, usually because it holds some level of importance or consequence.

But just like many common expressions in English, there are plenty of alternative ways to say “make sure” that offer slightly different tones, levels of formality, or shades of meaning. Whether you’re writing a professional email, talking with friends, or preparing an academic paper, choosing the right synonym can elevate your clarity and precision. In this article, we’ll walk through 24 other expressions that can be used in place of “make sure,” so you’ll have a stronger vocabulary for a wide variety of situations.

Other Ways to Say “Make Sure”

1. Ensure

Example: “Ensure that your application is submitted before the deadline.”
Meaning: This verb means to make something certain or guarantee a specific outcome by taking the necessary steps.
Usage: Ideal in both formal and informal contexts where responsibility and attention to detail are key.

2. Verify

Example: “Before forwarding the message, verify the accuracy of the details.”
Meaning: To verify is to check that something is true or accurate, often involving a process of investigation or comparison with known facts.
Usage: Frequently used in research, journalism, and technical fields where precision matters.

3. Confirm

Example: “Please confirm your attendance by replying to this email.”
Meaning: This word means to establish the truth or correctness of something, often as a final check.
Usage: Common in casual conversations, customer service, and professional communication where clarity is needed.

4. Ascertain

Example: “We need to ascertain whether the data is complete before analysis.”
Meaning: To find out something with certainty, often through inquiry or research.
Usage: More formal in tone, this is often used in academic, scientific, or legal contexts.

5. Double-check

Example: “Double-check the meeting time to avoid being late.”
Meaning: This phrase suggests reviewing something again to catch any possible mistakes or oversights.
Usage: Informal and widely used in daily life, especially when discussing tasks that involve steps or fine details.

6. Guarantee

Example: “Following this method will guarantee consistent results.”
Meaning: To guarantee something is to promise or assure that a particular result will happen.
Usage: Often used in marketing, product discussions, or strong assertions of reliability.

7. Affirm

Example: “She affirmed her support for the new policy during the meeting.”
Meaning: To declare something firmly and with conviction, leaving no room for doubt.
Usage: Common in legal, official, or serious conversations where belief or commitment must be stated clearly.

8. Certify

Example: “The technician certified that the equipment was safe to use.”
Meaning: To formally declare that something is true, usually by an authority or expert.
Usage: Seen in academic, professional, or official scenarios involving documentation or assessments.

9. Reassure

Example: “He reassured his team that the project was on track despite delays.”
Meaning: This verb means to comfort someone or remove their doubts by confirming that everything is under control.
Usage: Useful in both personal and leadership contexts where calming concern is necessary.

10. Validate

Example: “The team validated the results through repeated experiments.”
Meaning: To confirm or support the legitimacy or accuracy of something through testing or evidence.
Usage: Frequently used in scientific, academic, and data-related discussions.

11. Cross-check

Example: “Always cross-check the references when writing a research paper.”
Meaning: To compare information from multiple sources to confirm its accuracy.
Usage: Popular in journalism, research, and data-heavy professions that value thoroughness.

12. Substantiate

Example: “The researcher was asked to substantiate his claims with peer-reviewed evidence.”
Meaning: To support a claim or idea with concrete evidence or factual information.
Usage: Strongly preferred in academic or legal contexts where claims must be backed by facts.

13. See to it

Example: “See to it that all files are backed up before the system update.”
Meaning: This phrase implies taking personal responsibility or oversight to make sure a task is completed as expected.
Usage: Common in both formal and informal settings, particularly when giving directions or emphasizing accountability.

14. Be certain

Example: “Be certain that the package is labeled correctly before shipping.”
Meaning: This emphasizes complete confidence or the absence of doubt regarding a particular action or condition.
Usage: Flexible in usage, it fits well in personal advice, written instructions, and professional conversations alike.

15. Make it a point

Example: “I always make it a point to review my notes before a presentation.”
Meaning: To make it a priority or intentional habit to do something important or necessary.
Usage: Informal, often used when emphasizing personal discipline or routine.

16. Be sure

Example: “Be sure to fasten your seatbelt before takeoff.”
Meaning: A gentle way of reminding someone to remember or complete something, indicating care or concern.
Usage: Very common in both spoken and written everyday English.

17. Check

Example: “Check if the oven is preheated before putting in the cookies.”
Meaning: To look over or examine something briefly to confirm its status or condition.
Usage: Suitable for casual conversation or step-by-step instructions.

18. Confirm with

Example: “Confirm with the client that the design meets their expectations.”
Meaning: To verify something by reaching out to another party or authority, typically for clarification or feedback.
Usage: Often used in professional, service, or collaborative contexts.

19. Monitor

Example: “Monitor the system for any unusual activity during the upgrade.”
Meaning: To observe continuously over a period to ensure things stay on track or function correctly.
Usage: Common in technical, medical, and managerial settings where ongoing attention is required.

20. Secure

Example: “Secure the lid tightly before transporting the container.”
Meaning: To take steps to make something safe, closed, or guaranteed in place.
Usage: Can be literal or metaphorical; used in physical tasks or ensuring results.

21. Watch over

Example: “Please watch over the kids while I finish cooking.”
Meaning: To supervise, oversee, or look after someone or something attentively.
Usage: Informal and often used in personal or caregiving contexts.

22. Safeguard

Example: “It’s important to safeguard sensitive data during file transfers.”
Meaning: To actively protect something from danger, risk, or loss.
Usage: More formal, typically seen in legal, IT, or policy-based communication.

23. Make it certain

Example: “Make it certain that all supplies have been ordered for the event.”
Meaning: A formal version of “make sure,” adding gravity or emphasis to the need for assurance.
Usage: Suitable in formal writing or detailed instructions.

24. Track

Example: “Track your expenses to ensure you stay within budget.”
Meaning: To keep a record or follow progress over time, typically to verify or manage outcomes.
Usage: Practical in financial, project management, and performance monitoring contexts.

When to Use Different “Make Sure” Alternatives

In Professional Settings

In business or workplace situations, using precise language can build trust and convey a strong sense of responsibility. Phrases like “ascertain,” “monitor,” or “validate” give off a tone of professionalism and diligence, making them suitable when writing reports, leading meetings, or managing projects that require high attention to detail and accountability.

In Everyday Conversations

For casual interactions with friends, family, or coworkers, the simpler terms like “double-check,” “be sure,” or “make it a point” keep the conversation light, friendly, and easy to understand, helping avoid any overly formal tone that might sound unnatural in regular speech.

In Academic or Research Contexts

Academic writing and research demand clarity, structure, and evidence-backed language. Terms such as “verify,” “validate,” or “substantiate” are especially useful in this context because they signal a clear process of proving or confirming information with authority and precision.

Conclusion

While “make sure” is a simple and effective way to express certainty or request assurance, expanding your vocabulary to include alternative phrases can help you speak or write with greater nuance, formality, or precision depending on your audience and goals. Whether you’re trying to improve your emails, sharpen your academic writing, or sound more polished in everyday conversations, these 24 alternatives offer powerful and context-friendly options.

For those interested in diving even deeper into vocabulary and expressions that add clarity and depth to communication, resources like Thesaurus.com or Merriam-Webster’s Learner’s Dictionary can be incredibly helpful for discovering even more useful synonyms and phrases.

FAQs

What does “make sure” mean?

“Make sure” means to take responsibility to see that something is done correctly, thoroughly, or without being forgotten.

Is “make sure” formal or informal?

“Make sure” can be used in both casual and formal settings, but depending on the tone or purpose, you might choose a more specific synonym like “ensure” or “ascertain” in formal writing.

Can “make sure” and “ensure” be used interchangeably?

Yes, in many contexts they can be used interchangeably. However, “ensure” is generally more formal and often appears in professional or academic writing, whereas “make sure” is more conversational and commonly used in speech.