--for those who speak English as their second language or who just want to improve their writing
(Text-only version of Quirks of English)
These words not only sound similar, they have similar meanings. Although many people use them interchangeably to mean to make certain, only assure means to make someone else more confident about something they might have doubts about and only insure means to guarantee against financial loss (as with an insurance policy). Careful writers often reserve assure and insure for these specific meanings and use ensure to mean to make certain.
Assure someone about something:
Our division chief assured us that our newest program has a good base of support both at NASA Headquarters and on Capitol Hill.
Ensure that something will or will not happen:
To ensure accuracy, we calibrated this instrumentation before each set of tests.
Insure someone or something against financial loss:
This communications satellite is insured by Lloyd's of London.
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Last updated: 1/20/2009