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Knowing the difference between ensure and insure can go a long way in effective communication. Read the article given below to have a clear understanding of these two words and their differences.

Ensure Vs Insure

The English language can often be pretty confusing even for the most accomplished of its exponents. This is because English is perhaps the only language, that has been in constant evolution with constantly added new words, phrases and their usage, that have been added through centuries not only enriching it but also making it mind-bogglingly vast. No wonder, the English language has thousands of words with similar meanings but different pronunciations and vice versa. Then there are words whose spellings differ from each other in only a single character. Most often, it is the words that rhyme and are derived from the same root that are very confusing. Therefore, it is only natural that, for most people, the language has become a trap that they fall into. While speaking, interchanging vaguely similar words can often be glossed over but, you will definitely get caught if you confuse words during writing. Take insure and ensure for example. Only a thin line divides the two words, but most often a majority of unsuspecting speakers and writers, accidently or otherwise, do not fail to trip on it. To have a proper understanding of how to use these two words and know the differences between them, continue reading the next section.

Difference Between Ensure and Insure
There is only a subtle difference between insure and ensure and, since these two words sound very similar, it is easy to accidently mix them; especially in verbal communication. It is important to remember that only in special circumstances can these two words be used interchangeably. Insure and ensure have the same Latin root which means "to make secure". Therefore, insure and ensure can loosely mean to guarantee or suggest a sense of making something sure but they also have very distinct meanings.

Insure
Insure is generally defined as, taking certain measures or precautions against some unforeseeable negative consequences. That is, insure is a coverage against a specified loss or damage. Though insure can be used for a person, place or thing, it is most commonly used for limited financial liability as in obtaining an insurance policy. Thus, insure is always used in financial context.

Insure Examples:
Ensure
Generally speaking, 'ensure' is to be certain of or to make sure or act towards being safe. Keep in mind to use 'ensure' whenever you need to suggest guaranteeing something.

Ensure Examples:
In Modern English
Ensure And Insure
The exact meaning of ensure and insure will be clear from the following examples where they are used in the same sentence to bring out the subtle differences between them.
In Common Context
Ensure and insure can sometimes be used interchangeably. The subtle difference between the words is apparent mostly in the American and British English usage.

Examples:

British English:
We wish to ensure the safety of our passengers.
American English: We wish to insure the safety of our passengers.

However, nowadays, in both British and American usage, insure is used to suggest compensation for financial loss. In British English, the meaning of ensure is distinct, i.e. to be certain that something will happen, while in American English, the distinction between the words have almost assimilated.