"Sure" is a very useful word to have in your English vocabulary. Depending on the situation, it can be used to say "yes," "certainly," "absolutely," or "without a doubt." Watch the video below to learn (or review) five very common uses of "sure." They include: "Sure," "For sure," "Sure thing," "Make sure," and "Sure can/do/am/will."
Do you already know how to use "sure"? Check your understanding by doing the quiz under the video on engVid.com, and read the expanded explanation below.
Expanded explanation
Use "sure," "for sure," and "sure thing" when you agree to a request. "For sure" is more emphatic than "sure," and "sure thing" is more casual. Note the examples:
"Can you proofread this email for me?"
"Sure."
"Could you help me with this?"
"For sure. No problem."
"Could you lend me a dollar?"
"Yeah. Sure thing."
You can also use "for sure" to show emphatic agreement with someone, or to emphatically say "yes," as in "absolutely" or "without question." Take a look at the following examples:
"Do you think Tina will get the job?"
"Oh, for sure. There is no doubt in my mind."
"I think Yannick sent that email on purpose."
"For sure!"
"Are you going to Alice's birthday tomorrow?"
"For sure. I just need to buy her a present."
Use "make sure" to do check or verify that something is done, true, or the case. It is often used in imperatives, but it can be used in declaratives and questions as well, and it can be used in the past, present, and future tenses.
"Did you make sure to turn off the stove?"
"Yes, it was the last thing I did before I left the house."
"Make sure to finish your homework before you start watching TV."
"When you speak with Angela, make sure to remind her that she still needs to send me her pay report for this week."
Finally, use "sure" plus an auxiliary verb to emphasize that something is done, true, or the case. You can omit the subject for this usage if you wish. This makes the phrase sound more casual. This usage can be used in the past, present, and future tenses.
"Did he call you last night?"
"Sure did." (This is the short form of "He sure did" or "He certainly did.")
"Can you hold this for a second?"
"Sure can." (Or, "I sure can." / "I certainly can.")
"This is going to be a fantastic match."
"Sure is. I can't wait for it to start." (Or, "It sure is." / "It certainly is.")
"That would be really great."
"Sure would." (Or, "It sure would." / "It certainly would.")
I hope you have enjoyed the video, quiz, and expanded explanation above, and I hope you feel more confident using "sure." What's the next step? You have to make sure to practice! Until next time, thanks for studying with engVid, and I wish you success in your studies.
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