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# sure

adjective (sure, surer, surest); adverb (sure — yes, of course)

«sure» in the English dictionary: everyday and in Jewish tradition — its meanings, how the lessons use it, and examples, each with its tree on Mova.

## Everyday

1. If you are sure, you know something is true and have no doubt. [tree →](https://mova.elamur.ai/free/en/corpora/dictionaries/school/S/sure/#m1)
2. «Make sure» means check or take care that something happens. [tree →](https://mova.elamur.ai/free/en/corpora/dictionaries/school/S/sure/#m2)
3. «Sure» in speech means yes, of course. [tree →](https://mova.elamur.ai/free/en/corpora/dictionaries/school/S/sure/#m3)
4. A sure thing is something certain to happen. [tree →](https://mova.elamur.ai/free/en/corpora/dictionaries/school/S/sure/#m4)
5. Sure-footed means steady on your feet, not likely to slip or fall. [tree →](https://mova.elamur.ai/free/en/corpora/dictionaries/school/S/sure/#m5)

### In the lessons

In school maths: a word of the story; in chance problems «sure» or «certain» means it will always happen; «to be sure of getting two of the same colour» means think of the worst case. In everyday life: «Are you sure?», «Make sure you lock the door», «Sure, you can borrow it». Phrases: «make sure», «for sure», «be sure to», «I'm not sure».

### Examples

- Is it sure that she picks a red ball? [tree →](https://mova.elamur.ai/free/en/corpora/dictionaries/school/S/sure/#x1)
- He wants to be sure he has enough money. [tree →](https://mova.elamur.ai/free/en/corpora/dictionaries/school/S/sure/#x2)
- Make sure you count both ends. [tree →](https://mova.elamur.ai/free/en/corpora/dictionaries/school/S/sure/#x3)
- How many must you take to be sure of getting two of the same colour? [tree →](https://mova.elamur.ai/free/en/corpora/dictionaries/school/S/sure/#x4)
- Are you sure you turned off the oven? [tree →](https://mova.elamur.ai/free/en/corpora/dictionaries/school/S/sure/#x5)
- «Can I sit here?» «Sure!» [tree →](https://mova.elamur.ai/free/en/corpora/dictionaries/school/S/sure/#x6)
- I'm not sure what the answer is. [tree →](https://mova.elamur.ai/free/en/corpora/dictionaries/school/S/sure/#x7)
- Make sure you wear sunscreen at the beach. [tree →](https://mova.elamur.ai/free/en/corpora/dictionaries/school/S/sure/#x8)
- They have therefore become very sure-footed. [tree →](https://mova.elamur.ai/free/en/corpora/dictionaries/school/S/sure/#x9)

### Note

«Sure of» something, «sure that» something is true, «sure to» do something. «Surely» is used in questions when you expect «yes». Maths: carries no number. In «to be sure of» problems think of the worst case. Trap: «sure» there means always, not just likely.

## In Jewish tradition

Made firm and secure, said of the cave of Machpelah becoming Abraham's own.

**Interpretation.** Abraham bought the cave openly and paid for it. Tradition sees this as the first Jewish hold on the Land, in the place where the patriarchs and matriarchs are buried.

### Examples

- And the field, and the cave that is therein, were made sure unto Abraham for a possession of a burying-place by the children of Heth. (Torah GEN.23.20, JPS 1917) [tree →](https://mova.elamur.ai/free/en/corpora/dictionaries/judaism/S/sure/#x1)
- Thy testimonies are very sure, holiness becometh Thy house, O LORD, for evermore. (Writings PSA.93.5, JPS 1917) [tree →](https://mova.elamur.ai/free/en/corpora/dictionaries/judaism/S/sure/#x2)
- The works of His hands are truth and justice; all His precepts are sure. (Writings PSA.111.7, JPS 1917) [tree →](https://mova.elamur.ai/free/en/corpora/dictionaries/judaism/S/sure/#x3)
- The wicked earneth deceitful wages; but he that soweth righteousness hath a sure reward. (Writings PRO.11.18, JPS 1917) [tree →](https://mova.elamur.ai/free/en/corpora/dictionaries/judaism/S/sure/#x4)

### Note

«Sure of» something, «sure that» something is true, «sure to» do something. «Surely» is used in questions when you expect «yes». Maths: carries no number. In «to be sure of» problems think of the worst case. Trap: «sure» there means always, not just likely.

## On Mova

- [Trees and pragmatics of «sure» in the school dictionary](https://mova.elamur.ai/free/en/corpora/dictionaries/school/S/sure/): every meaning and example parsed by Mova, with its dependency tree and frames.
- [«sure» in the school dictionary](https://mova.elamur.ai/free/en/dictionaries/school/w/sure.html) on Mova free.
- [Trees and pragmatics of «sure» in the Judaism dictionary](https://mova.elamur.ai/free/en/corpora/dictionaries/judaism/S/sure/): every meaning and example parsed by Mova, with its dependency tree and frames.
- [«sure» in the Judaism dictionary](https://mova.elamur.ai/free/en/dictionaries/judaism/w/sure.html) on Mova free.