RE: the old insure ensure assure

Subject: RE: the old insure ensure assure
From: Andrew Warren <awarren -at- synaptics -dot- com>
To: "'Al Geist'" <al -dot- geist -at- geistassociates -dot- com>, "'TECHWR-L'" <techwr-l -at- lists -dot- techwr-l -dot- com>
Date: Mon, 24 Nov 2008 15:04:20 -0800

Al Geist wrote:

> > many [dictionaries] allow "insure" to be used as a synonym
> > for "ensure".
>
> That may be, but insure and ensure do have different meanings.

They can, sure, but your house dictionary may also allow
one to be a synonym of the other.

> Use "assure" when you want to declare that something is true. "I assure
> you I'm always right."
>
> Use "ensure" when you want to express an idea about how something is to
> be made certain. "What can I do to ensure you that I am always right?"

You meant "ensure that", not "ensure YOU that", right?

> Use "insure" when you are referring to financial matters, especially if
> loss or harm results. "You better insure yourself for believing that I
> am always right."

Your example sentence doesn't seem to match your instruction...
Maybe a better example would show that "insure" is what insurance
companies do. I use this:

"I assure you, I will ensure that the car is insured
before I drive it."

-Andrew

=== Andrew Warren - awarren -at- synaptics -dot- com
=== Synaptics, Inc - Santa Clara, CA
^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^

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RE: the old insure ensure assure: From: Al Geist

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