RE: the old insure ensure assure

["Leonard C. Porrello" <Leonard -dot- Porrello -at- SoleraTec -dot- com>]

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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