Assure vs. Ensure vs. Insure
The three words, assure, ensure, and insure, are often confused so here are the definitions along with some examples to help clarify the distinctions for you.
Assure: to promise or say with confidence
Example: Let me assure you that I will be at the meeting at noon.
Ensure: to make sure something will/won’t happen
Example: To ensure my family’s safety, I have installed an alarm system.
Insure: to issue an insurance policy
Example: I will insure my home with additional fire and flood policies.
September 23, 2008 at 3:09 pm
This is a godsend. Bad grammar really stands out to me and anyone who helps abolish it is great in my eyes
September 23, 2008 at 5:14 pm
Thanks for the support, Art.
September 21, 2009 at 8:21 pm
Someone needs to forward these definitions to the NRA. Their brochure says, “Insure Your Gun Rights – Join NRA.” The website listed at the bottom of the brochure even lists a website called “www.InsureYourGunRights.com.” OOPS!
September 21, 2009 at 8:51 pm
Good point!
September 25, 2009 at 12:45 pm
“We the People of the United States, in Order to form a more perfect Union, establish Justice, insure domestic Tranquility…”
I’ve been wondering if the Founders should have written “ensure” there. Of course, it could well be that the distinction between “insure” and “ensure” has changed since the late 18th century.
September 25, 2009 at 8:57 pm
You’re correct. Today we would use “ensure” in this case. I imagine that you are also correct that the distinction between “insure” and “ensure” came later. Thanks for writing.