這一組動詞的含義各不相同。assure的意思是“使……相信或深信”(cau somebody to believe or feel certain),有時可譯作“向……保證”、“向……擔保”。例如:

They assured me of their readio help.

他們使我相信他們很樂意幫忙。

I assure you that this medie will not harm you.

我向你保證這種藥不會對你有害。

ensure是“確保(一件事)”、“保證獲得……”(to make certain or to make sure that something happens)。例:

His help ensured our success.

他的幫助確保了我們的成功。

e early to eting a good at.

要早點來以保證得到個好座位。

insure的意思是“保險”、“給……買保險”(to proteeone against loss by insurance)。例:

He insured his life.

他已買了人壽保險。

My hou is insured against fire.

我的房子已買了防火保險。

現將assure,ensure和insure用在一個句子裏,以便區別:

I assure you that to be well insured ensures peaind.

我可以向你保證:購足了保險就能確保你安心無憂。

為了分清這三個字的用法,讀者可記住下列三個公式:

assure:(a)assure + a person + of + something

(b)assure + a person + "that" clau

ensure:(a)ensure + "that" clau

(b)ensure + a person + against (or from)

+ something

(sure + something + for (or to)+ a person

insure:(a)insure + something (or a person)

(b)insure + against + something25