make sure 的基本含义是“确保”或“查明”,指采取行动使某事成为事实或核实其真实性。其本义可拆解为“make”(使)与“sure”(确定的),合起来即“使确定”,强调通过主动行为消除不确定性。引申义有两个方向:一是“确保”某件事发生,带有前瞻性和预防性,如“make sure the door is locked”(确保门锁好);二是“查明”某事是否属实,带有核实和检查的意味,如“make sure the train arrives at 5”(查明火车是否5点到)。两者都源于“使确定”的核心,区别在于前者侧重行动结果,后者侧重信息确认。
make sure 在口语和书面语中均高频出现。日常口语中,常用于提醒、叮嘱,语气亲切直接,如“Make sure you eat breakfast.”(务必吃早饭)。商务邮件中,用于强调任务要求,语气正式且明确,如“Please make sure the report is submitted by Friday.”(请确保报告周五前提交)。新闻报道中,用于表述核实或保证,语气客观,如“Officials made sure the event went smoothly.”(官员确保活动顺利进行)。学术写作中较少使用,但可用于说明实验步骤或逻辑前提,如“Make sure the sample is heated to 100°C.”(确保样品加热至100°C)。法律文本中偶见,用于明确义务,如“The contractor shall make sure all safety measures are in place.”(承包商应确保所有安全措施到位)。总体而言,短语本身为中性,语域偏中性,可适应多种正式度。
语法要点
make sure 通常作及物动词短语,后接 that 从句(that 常省略)、不定式或介词短语。常见句型:1) make sure + that 从句,如“Make sure (that) you lock the door.”;2) make sure + 不定式,如“Make sure to turn off the lights.”;3) make sure + of/about + 名词/动名词,如“Make sure of the facts before you accuse him.”。易错点:① 后接从句时,从句用一般现在时或将来时,不用虚拟语气;② 后接不定式时,不定式用原形,不可加 ing;③ 不要与“be sure to”混淆,后者意为“务必”,但“be sure”主语通常是人,而“make sure”主语可为人或事物。
近义辨析
与 make sure 近义的词有 ensure、assure、guarantee、confirm。ensure 意为“确保”,强调采取行动保证结果,比 make sure 更正式,常用于书面语,如“Please ensure that all doors are locked.”。assure 意为“向……保证”,宾语通常是人,强调消除疑虑,如“I assure you that everything is fine.”。guarantee 意为“保证”,强调承诺或法律担保,语气更强,如“The product is guaranteed to last five years.”。confirm 意为“确认”,强调核实信息,如“Please confirm your reservation.”。选择时,日常口语强调提醒可用 make sure;正式书面语强调行动可用 ensure;强调消除疑虑用 assure;强调承诺用 guarantee;强调核实信息用 confirm。
需要留意
make sure 语域中性,口语和书面语均适用,无褒贬色彩。常见误用:① 将 make sure 与 make sure of 混淆,后接名词时需加 of,但口语中常省略;② 在从句中误用虚拟语气,如“Make sure he comes.”(正确),而非“Make sure he come.”(错误);③ 在正式写作中过度使用,可替换为 ensure 或 verify 以提升正式度;④ 在否定句中,注意否定位置,如“Make sure you don't miss the deadline.”(确保你别错过截止日期),而非“Don't make sure you miss...”(错误)。
常用组合
make sure that...
确保……
make sure to do sth.
务必做某事
make sure of sth.
查明/确保某事
just to make sure
只是为了确认
make sure about sth.
对某事有把握
make sure (that) sb. does sth.
确保某人做某事
make sure you don't...
确保你别……
双语例句
Please make sure the lights are turned off before you leave.
离开前请确保灯已关掉。
I made sure to lock the door when I went out.
我出门时确保锁了门。
Make sure you understand the instructions before starting.
开始前确保你理解了说明。
She made sure of her facts before writing the article.
她写文章前先核实了事实。
Can you make sure that the package arrives by Friday?
你能确保包裹周五前到吗?
The manager made sure everyone was informed of the new policy.