Do you find these words confusing? Test yourself, then see if you need to refresh your knowledge.
Choose the correct word in each sentence.
- The Secretariat will ______ that all stakeholders are consulted before implementation.
(ensure/insure/assure)
Which one means to make sure that something happens? Which one is US English? Which one means to take out a policy? - We need to _________ the building against potential earthquakes. (ensure/insure/assure)
- Let me _________ you of our support for your project. (ensure/insure/assure)
- This agreement does not _________ any change to existing legal obligations.
(affect/effect)
Which one means “to bring about” and which one “to produce an effect” on someone? - The local population was severely _________ by the recent flooding. (affect/effect)
Answer key
- The Secretariat will ensure that all stakeholders are consulted before implementation.Ensure means to make certain that something happens.
- We need to insure the building against potential earthquakes.
Insure is US English. In British English (United Nations style), it means to take out an insurance policy. - Let me assure you of our support for your project.
Assure means to remove doubt. - This agreement does not effect any change to existing legal obligations.Effect means to bring about.
- The local population was severely affected by the recent flooding.
Affect means to produce an effect on someone.
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Author: Carol Waites
Presentation/editing by Christina O’Shaughnessy
https://worldwidewriting.org/
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Carol Waites (PhD)
Email: carolswritingtips@gmail.com
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Carol’s memoir of her times at the United Nations, Behind the Flags, is available on Amazon and lulu.com
ISBN 9783952632703 Behind the Flags Amazon
9783952632727 Behind the Flags lulu.com
It is also available for sale at Payot, Pages & Sips, and in the UN bookshop at the Pregny entry in Geneva.