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