Ensure vs insure
Ensure means to make sure something happens. Insure means to protect against loss with insurance, so you get money if something bad happens.
Insure and insurance both start with ins. If money is paid after a loss, use insure.
ensure verb
To make certain that something will happen or be the case.
- The new procedures ensure that every shipment is inspected before it leaves the warehouse.
- Please check your answers to ensure there are no mistakes.
insure verb
To arrange for payment if something bad happens, such as an accident, a fire or a theft, usually with an insurance policy.
- Many homeowners insure their houses against fire and storm damage.
- We insured the painting for twice what we paid for it.
Watch out
- In American English, insure is also used to mean make sure, and American dictionaries accept it. British English almost always uses ensure here, and many editors prefer ensure everywhere.The committee posted extra guards to insure the safety of the delegates.
- Insure can also mean to sell insurance as a business, or to take out a policy for yourself.Many families insure with the same company for decades out of habit.
Test yourself
You should blank your car before you drive it off the lot.
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insure. This is about buying insurance that pays if the car is damaged or stolen.
Wash your hands often to blank that you do not get sick.
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ensure. This means make sure. Ensure is the safe choice everywhere. Insure here is accepted mainly in American English.
The company will blank the shipment against loss at sea.
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insure. Against loss points to insurance, which pays out if the shipment is lost.
A good night's sleep will help blank that you do well on the test.
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ensure. This means make sure, not buy insurance. Ensure is the safe choice. Insure here is accepted mainly in American English.