原书 PDF 第 318 页
可以说 make sure that,能否说 make certain that 呢?
既可以说 make sure that, 也可以说 make certain that。请看下面的实例：
Please make sure/certain that you enclose your birth certificate. (CGEL) 请一定把你的出生证明装入信里。
Make certain (that) you know what time the train goes. (LDCE) 要弄清火车出发的准确时间。
Can you draw Harry a map just to make certain he'll find the hotel? (LDCE) 你能否给哈里画张地图以确保他能找到那家旅馆？
(参见 make certain, make sure)
These devices make it ____ that the electricity in the wires do not start fire.
A. sure B. certain C. clear D. likely
(《新编大学英语四、六级常考题库》, 中国广播电视出版社, p. 105)
答案为 B,能否选 A 呢?
我们在 certain/sure 中已经指出, make certain that 和 make sure that 都是正确的格式。在 make certain 和 make sure 诸条中, 则进一步指出, 在这类句型中 that 从句是宾语从句, certain 和 sure 是前置的宾语补足语。你前面所提到的试题与 make certain/sure that 句型只有一个差别: 多了一个形式宾语 it。可见, 它们在本质上是属于同一个句型的。因此, 上面的试题也可以选 A(sure)。但此处的 make sure 不作“弄清楚”“查明”解, 而作“确保”解:
arrangements to make sure that the visit goes well(ALD)
能够确保访问顺利进行的安排
____ sure you have reserved a room at the hotel.
“I'm leaving now.” “Make sure ____ the door.”