be humored

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "be humored" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used when asking someone to be amused or entertained by something, often in a light-hearted or playful context. Example: "I hope you can be humored by my attempt at a joke, even if it falls flat."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

7 human-written examples

Truth be told, some guests must be humored.

The New York Times

They want to canvass opinions, plead for sympathy, share an experience or otherwise be humored.

The New York Times - Magazine

Trump's allegations must be humored at all costs, simply because he declared them to be true — there can be no admission of error, and worse, the White House has declared itself liberated from the need to even pretend to have evidence to back up even Trump's most explosive claims.

The Washington Post

Gen Zers don't need to be humored; they need to be taken seriously.

Huffington Post

I was an only child, so I grew up around a lot of adults, and quickly learned that any mention of the paranormal would be humored, but never truly believed.

Vice

A few have refused, point-blank, to entertain my requests either on grounds that they are too ticklish to withstand my ardor or that I'm an incorrigible sexual deviant whose foot-based perversions shall not be humored on their time.

Vice

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

53 human-written examples

They appear to be humoring me on the matter.

The New York Times - Sports

"Yeah, O.K., so you're humoring me.

The New Yorker

"We were humoring him, in a positive sense," Rijsdijk said.

The New Yorker

Can there be humor in science?

The New York Times

Certainly, there can be humor in death.

Forbes

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "be humored" when you want to express that someone's preferences or ideas, even if unconventional, should be given consideration or light acceptance. It often implies a gentle or tolerant attitude.

Common error

Avoid using "be humored" in highly formal or serious situations where a more direct or respectful tone is needed. Alternatives such as "be respected" or "be considered" may be more appropriate in those settings.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "be humored" functions as a passive verb phrase, indicating that someone or something is the recipient of the action of being humored. This often suggests a need for tolerance or indulgence towards their actions or requests. Ludwig AI confirms this with its analysis of the provided examples.

Expression frequency: Uncommon

Frequent in

News & Media

100%

Less common in

Science

0%

Formal & Business

0%

Academia

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "be humored" is a grammatically correct passive verb phrase that suggests someone or something should be treated with tolerance or mild amusement. While Ludwig AI confirms its validity, it's important to note its uncommon frequency. Primarily used in neutral contexts such as news and media, its usage implies leniency towards actions or requests, often perceived as slightly eccentric or foolish. Remember to consider formality and context when choosing between "be humored" and more direct alternatives.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

be humoured

Retains the original meaning with a slight variation in spelling, more common in British English.

be indulged

Emphasizes the act of allowing someone to have or do what they want, often implying a degree of pampering or special treatment.

be indulged slightly

Adds nuance, suggesting only a small degree of accommodation or pampering.

be accommodated

Focuses on providing what is needed or desired, often to make someone comfortable or satisfied, but it can be to simply fulfill an action.

be given leeway

Highlights the act of providing freedom or flexibility in how someone operates.

be placated

Suggests calming someone's anger or dissatisfaction, often through concessions or appeasement.

be appeased

Similar to placated, it implies pacifying someone, typically by acceding to their demands.

have one's whims catered to

Specifically addresses the fulfillment of sudden desires or fanciful notions.

be given consideration

Focuses on taking someone's views or feelings into account, even if not fully agreeing with them.

be yielded to

Suggests giving way to someone's demands or preferences, often reluctantly.

FAQs

How can I use "be humored" in a sentence?

You can use "be humored" to suggest that someone's whims or ideas should be tolerated or indulged, as in "His eccentric requests must "be humored" to keep him happy."

What does it mean when someone says "just humor me"?

When someone says "just humor me", they're asking you to indulge them or go along with their idea, even if it seems silly or pointless. It's a request for temporary cooperation or patience.

Are there situations where it's inappropriate to ask someone to "be humored"?

Yes, it's inappropriate to ask someone to "be humored" if the situation is serious, sensitive, or requires immediate and direct action. A more direct approach would be more suitable in such instances.

Which is the correct spelling, "humored" or "humoured"?

"Humored" is the standard American English spelling, while "humoured" is the British English spelling. Both are correct depending on the regional context.