When do I use "insure" and when do I use "ensure"?

Answer 1

To “assure” a person of something is to make him or her confident of it. According to Associated Press style, to “ensure” that something happens is to make certain that it does, and to “insure” is to issue an insurance policy. Other authorities, however, consider “ensure” and “insure” interchangeable. To please conservatives, make the distinction. However, it is worth noting that in older usage these spellings were not clearly distinguished.

European “life assurance” companies take the position that all policy-holders are mortal and someone will definitely collect, thus assuring heirs of some income. American companies tend to go with “insurance” for coverage of life as well as of fire, theft, etc.

Answer 2

ensure
One entry found for ensure.


Main Entry: en·sure
Pronunciation: in-'shur
Function: transitive verb
Inflected Form(s): en·sured; en·sur·ing
Etymology: Middle English, from Anglo-French ensurer, alteration of assurer -- more at ASSURE
: to make sure, certain, or safe : GUARANTEE
synonyms ENSURE, INSURE, ASSURE, SECURE mean to make a thing or person sure. ENSURE, INSURE, and ASSURE are interchangeable in many contexts where they indicate the making certain or inevitable of an outcome, but ENSURE may imply a virtual guarantee , while INSURE sometimes stresses the taking of necessary measures beforehand , and ASSURE distinctively implies the removal of doubt and suspense from a person's mind . SECURE implies action taken to guard against attack or loss .
This should help you out!!

Answer 3

To insure is to guarantee against loss or harm, like when you put insurance on your car. To ensure is to make certain.

Answer 4

I'm a writer and I only use "insure" when talking about insurance.

I have to insure my car. If I hit a BMW with it, the underwriter will ensure that I have a lawyer.

Answer 5

Insure- to give a piece of mind
Ensure- a drink to insure nutrition

Answer 6

Insure is to put up money against the odds that something bad will happen.

Ensure is a vitamin drink.