gratify him

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "gratify him" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used when expressing the act of pleasing or satisfying someone, often in terms of fulfilling their desires or needs. Example: "To maintain a good relationship, it's important to find ways to gratify him and make him feel valued."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Academia

Wiki

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

8 human-written examples

See if you can gratify him.

Princeton University

They variously hurt, arouse, bore, move and gratify him.

The Guardian - Books

The rewards of the world gratify him, though they, too cannot satisfy him.

The Guardian - Books

The place came to be known as Casa Verdi and is still operating, which would surely gratify him.

The New York Times - Arts

The prospect of a retrospective would doubtless gratify him, although the skeptic in him would be astounded: I don't know what will be left of me fifty years from now.

The New Yorker

"Antipater," said he, "cannot have me both as his friend and his flatterer". And, indeed, Antipater was wont to say he had two friends at Athens, Phocion and Demades; the one would never suffer him to gratify him at all, the other would never be satisfied.

Massachusetts Institute of Technology

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

52 human-written examples

This deepening gratifies him.

The New York Times - Arts

But what gratifies him most, he said, is ensuring that uncomfortable truths are not ignored.

The New York Times

Though being displeased, often vociferously, was what I suspect really gratified him.

The Guardian

It would have gratified him to see his ideas so thoroughly tested and to see so many of them confirmed.

The New York Times

"No one had ever been afraid of Dermot before, or not to this degree," Rendell writes, "and it gratified him to have caused someone this amount of fear without violence or even the threat of it".

Independent

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Consider the formality of the context. "Gratify him" can sound slightly formal or old-fashioned in casual conversation. Choose a more common synonym like "please him" if appropriate.

Common error

While grammatically correct, repeatedly using "gratify him" in casual conversation can sound unnatural. Vary your vocabulary by using more common alternatives like "please him" or "make him happy" to maintain a conversational tone.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "gratify him" functions as a transitive verb phrase, where "gratify" is the verb and "him" is the direct object. According to Ludwig AI, it's grammatically correct and usable. The verb "gratify" indicates the act of pleasing or satisfying someone.

Expression frequency: Uncommon

Frequent in

News & Media

57%

Academia

29%

Wiki

14%

Less common in

Formal & Business

0%

Science

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "gratify him" is a grammatically sound and usable expression for indicating the act of pleasing or satisfying a male individual. While Ludwig AI confirms its correctness, the phrase is relatively uncommon, with usage leaning towards news and academic contexts. When writing, it's crucial to be aware of the potential formality associated with the verb "gratify" and to choose alternative phrasing, like "please him", in informal settings to maintain a natural tone. Although "gratify him" carries a slightly elevated tone, there is nothing wrong with this expression. Ultimately, the choice of phrase depends on the desired effect and the specific context of the writing.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

please him

This is the most direct synonym, replacing "gratify" with a more common verb.

satisfy him

This alternative emphasizes fulfilling his needs or desires.

delight him

This suggests a higher degree of pleasure and enjoyment.

make him happy

This focuses on creating a feeling of happiness in him.

give him pleasure

This alternative emphasizes the act of providing enjoyment.

content him

This suggests making him feel content or at peace.

appease him

This implies satisfying him, often to prevent conflict or dissatisfaction.

cater to him

This indicates attending to his needs and desires meticulously.

indulge him

This suggests allowing him to have or do what he wants, often excessively.

be agreeable to him

This focuses on being pleasant and compliant towards him.

FAQs

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

You can use "gratify him" to describe the act of pleasing or satisfying someone. For example: "The rewards of the world "gratify him", though they, too cannot satisfy him."

What are some alternatives to "gratify him"?

Some alternatives include "please him", "satisfy him", or "delight him" depending on the context and desired nuance.

Is "gratify him" too formal for everyday conversation?

It can be perceived as slightly formal. In casual settings, consider using phrases like "make him happy" or "please him" instead.

What's the difference between "gratify him" and "satisfy him"?

"Gratify him" generally implies providing pleasure or fulfilling a desire, while "satisfy him" suggests meeting a need or requirement. The best choice depends on the specific context.