JS Tip 498: “Insure,” “Ensure,” and “Assure”
Our friend Marilyn Stevens asks, “What’s the difference between ‘insure’ and ‘ensure’?” (We haven’t talked about this in many years.)
And we’ll go one better: We’ll throw “assure” into the discussion.
As with many words, the differences are not absolute and grow murkier when we deal with our British counterparts.
Generally—
Ensure means “to make certain” or “to guarantee.” “My job is to ensure my Uncle Fred drinks his Ensure.” (“My job is to make certain my Uncle Fred drinks his Ensure.”)
Some UK usages and some rare US usages allow you to use “ensure” and “insure” interchangeably. We think that’s a bad idea; it’s too confusing.
Insure means to secure financial coverage. “We need to insure the ‘66 Mustang.” (“We need to provide financial coverage for the ’66 Mustang.”)
A good way to remember the specific use for ‘insure’ is to think of the “i” as the crossbar on the dollar sign: “I need to $nsure the Mustang.” “Insure” and “insurance” are always dollar-related.
Assure means “to promise,” “convince,” or “comfort.” “I assure you the check’s in the mail.” (“I promise you the check’s in the mail.”)
The Final Exam
All right, class. Put away your books and take out a blank sheet of paper.
Fill in the blank with the correct word:
“In real life, I _______ you, there’s no such thing as algebra.” (Fran Lebowitz)
“The FDA’s job is to _______ the safety of the drug supply.”
“She wanted to _______ her car, boat, motorcycle, and dog.”
The Answers
“In real life, I assure you, there’s no such thing as algebra.” (Fran Lebowitz)
“The FDA’s job is to ensure the safety of the drug supply.”
“She wanted to insure her car, boat, motorcycle, and dog.”
How’d you do? You maxxed this, didn’t you?
If you have questions or comments, let us know.
As we’ve said many times before, we love this stuff.