RE: the old insure ensure assure

Subject: RE: the old insure ensure assure
From: "Leonard C. Porrello" <Leonard -dot- Porrello -at- SoleraTec -dot- com>
To: "Andrew Warren" <awarren -at- synaptics -dot- com>, "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 15:09:47 -0800

Really, Andrew, it's silly to fight the evolution of the language. I say
we go with the flow and keep it simple:

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

Leonard

-----Original Message-----
From: techwr-l-bounces+leonard -dot- porrello=soleratec -dot- com -at- lists -dot- techwr-l -dot- com
[mailto:techwr-l-bounces+leonard -dot- porrello=soleratec -dot- com -at- lists -dot- techwr-l -dot- c
om] On Behalf Of Andrew Warren
Sent: Monday, November 24, 2008 3:04 PM
To: 'Al Geist'; 'TECHWR-L'
Subject: RE: the old insure ensure assure

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

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Follow-Ups:

References:
RE: the old insure ensure assure: From: Al Geist
RE: the old insure ensure assure: From: Andrew Warren

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