Close in meaning

Ensure vs. Insure vs. Assure

Ensure means to make sure something happens. Insure means to protect against loss with an insurance policy. Assure means to tell someone something confidently so they stop worrying. You ensure results, insure property and assure people.

Word	Part of speech	Meaning
ensure	verb	to make certain that something happens or is true
insure	verb	to buy or provide insurance that pays if something is lost, damaged or stolen, or if someone is hurt
assure	verb	to tell someone something firmly so they stop worrying or doubting

Ensure

verb: to make certain that something happens or is true

Please check the locks to ensure the doors are closed.
Regular backups ensure that you won't lose your files.

Insure

verb: to buy or provide insurance that pays if something is lost, damaged or stolen, or if someone is hurt

We insured the camera before the trip abroad.
Most lenders require you to insure your home.

Assure

verb: to tell someone something firmly so they stop worrying or doubting

The pilot assured passengers that the bumps were normal.
I assure you the report will be ready by Friday.

How to remember the difference

Assure a person, ensure an outcome, insure an item. Insure goes with insurance, and assure is what you do to an anxious person.

Good to know

In American English, insure is also used to mean make sure (insure accuracy), and dictionaries accept it. Many editors keep insure for insurance only, which is the safest choice. Assure usually takes a person as its object: assure the team, assure yourself.

Spot the mistake

Let me ~~ensure~~ assure you that your seat is booked.
Correct: Let me assure you that your seat is booked.
You should ~~ensure~~ insure your jewelry against theft.
Correct: You should insure your jewelry against theft.

Check yourself

Pick the word that fits each sentence.

1. The coach tried to the nervous players that they were ready.

2. Wash your hands often to the food stays safe.