drained him

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "drained him" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to describe a situation where someone has been exhausted or depleted of energy, resources, or emotional strength. Example: "After the long meeting, the constant questions and debates really drained him."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

29 human-written examples

They drained him.

The New York Times

"It drained him financially, and it drained him emotionally," says Eric Grossman, Strawberry's current agent.

The New York Times - Magazine

Toxic side effects from treatments drained him of energy.

The Guardian - Books

Having a newborn, however, hasn't drained him of his appetite for fun.

The New York Times

The loss to Rush drained him of much of the naïveté he once exuded.

The New Yorker

His anger seemed to have drained him, and his big body was slumped forward.

The New York Times

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

31 human-written examples

Modest innings were draining him.

The Guardian - Sport

Is she draining him of his precious bodily fluids?

The New York Times

"I'm just emotionally draining him, but I can talk for a sec".

The New Yorker

Obama will never be at his best around Hillary; she drains him of his magical powers.

The New York Times

Neagle told Roger Clemens that he hates having difficult innings early in games because it drains him.

The New York Times - Sports

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "drained him" to vividly depict a state of extreme exhaustion, whether physical, emotional, or financial. This phrase effectively conveys the impact of a demanding experience or situation.

Common error

Avoid consistently using "drained him" in passive constructions. Vary your sentence structure to maintain reader engagement. For instance, instead of "He was drained by the experience", consider "The experience drained him".

Linguistic Context

The phrase "drained him" functions as a verb phrase, where "drained" is the verb and "him" is the object. It typically describes the act of depleting someone's physical, emotional, or financial resources. As per Ludwig AI, the phrase is considered correct and usable.

Expression frequency: Common

Frequent in

News & Media

88%

Wiki

8%

Formal & Business

4%

Less common in

Science

0%

Academia

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "drained him" is a grammatically sound and frequently used verb phrase that effectively conveys exhaustion or depletion, be it physical, emotional, or financial. Ludwig AI confirms its correctness for use in various contexts. Predominantly found in news and media, it maintains a neutral register, suitable for diverse writing purposes. When employing "drained him", aim for active voice to enhance your writing. For semantically similar expressions, consider phrases such as "exhausted him", "depleted his energy", or "sapped his strength".

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

exhausted him

Replaces "drained" with a direct synonym, focusing on physical or mental fatigue.

depleted his energy

Focuses on the loss of energy, using a more formal tone.

sapped his strength

Highlights the gradual reduction of physical or emotional power.

left him fatigued

Emphasizes the resulting state of weariness.

took its toll on him

Indicates a negative impact over time, leading to exhaustion.

wore him out

Suggests a more gradual and wearing process of exhaustion.

left him empty

Emphasizes the emotional or spiritual void resulting from the experience.

robbed him of vitality

Highlights the loss of liveliness and vigor.

impoverished him

Focuses on resource depletion and lack of strength.

weakened him

Focuses on the reduction of physical or mental power.

FAQs

How can I use "drained him" in a sentence?

You can use "drained him" to describe a situation where someone has lost energy, strength, or resources due to a demanding experience. For example: "The long hours at work completely drained him."

What are some alternatives to "drained him"?

You can use alternatives like "exhausted him", "depleted his energy", or "sapped his strength" depending on the specific context.

Is it correct to say "drained of him" instead of "drained him"?

No, it is not grammatically correct. The correct phrase is "drained him". The preposition "of" is not needed in this context.

What's the difference between "drained him" and "exhausted him"?

While both phrases convey a sense of fatigue, "drained him" often suggests a more complete depletion of resources or energy, whereas "exhausted him" simply implies being very tired.