make sure

IPA/mˌeɪk ʃˈʊə/
IPA/mˌeɪk ʃˈʊɹ/

make sure — idiom

1. to check something or take action so that you can be completely certain about it

1.慣用語B1
釋義

to check something or take action so that you can be completely certain about it, or so that something happens exactly as you intend.

例句

Dylan made sure to lock the front door before leaving for work.

make sure + to + infinitive — a planned preventive action

Jiwoo checked the train schedule twice to make sure the departure time had not changed.

make sure + that-clause (that omitted)

同義詞
  • ensure

    more formal; used in written and official English

  • verify

    focuses on checking or confirming facts rather than taking preventive action

  • confirm

    emphasises checking that something is true or has been arranged

反義詞
  • neglect

    to fail to take necessary action

  • overlook

    to miss or ignore something important

文法句型

make sure + (that) + clause

make sure + to + infinitive

make sure + of + noun/gerund

用法筆記

The conjunction 'that' after 'make sure' is optional and frequently omitted, especially in spoken English. The to-infinitive pattern ('make sure to do something') is common in instructions and warnings. 'Make sure' is not usually followed by a bare infinitive — ❌ 'make sure lock the door' is incorrect.

常見錯誤

❌Make sure lock the door.
✅Make sure to lock the door.' or 'Make sure you lock the door.
💡'make sure' must be followed by a to-infinitive or a clause, not a bare verb.
❌I made sure about he arrived safely.
✅I made sure (that) he arrived safely.
💡after 'make sure', use a clause, not 'about' + noun phrase when describing an event.