made him alert

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "made him alert" is correct and usable in written English.
You can use it to describe a situation where someone becomes more aware or attentive, often due to a specific stimulus or event. Example: "The sudden noise made him alert, causing him to pay closer attention to his surroundings."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

3 human-written examples

She made him alert her by e-mail when he got up in the morning and when he stepped into the shower.

The New York Times

When I read "Saturday," I was surprised that a pre-dawn trip that Perowne takes from his kitchen to his bedroom made him alert enough for a bout of lovemaking; the daunting staircase expelled my doubts.

The New Yorker

He had experienced lavish living for a period as the protege of Lord and Lady Holland, and this made him alert to the dire effects of fashionable worldliness on an artist's creative energies.

The Guardian - Arts

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

56 human-written examples

Perhaps that history of trauma and dislocation made him more alert to disruptions in others.

The New York Times - Arts

It was an academic background that made him particularly alert to the forms and technicalities of language and expression.

The New Yorker

Nothing made him more alert than a large passion twisted, coiled in the recesses of an innocent.

The New York Times

The restlessness, the sense of unease that one constantly saw in Simon, was one of the ingredients that made him so alert and responsive and therefore so good at his job, but it did not always make him easy company.

The Guardian

The stripping away of conventional decorum that van Gogh's illness forced on him made him almost unnaturally present, alert to the world; when his mind went wrong, he became all heart.

The New Yorker

Phelps showers before going to the pool because it makes him more alert.

The New York Times - Sports

Howard says it's possible that Tourette's actually helps him in goal, that it makes him more alert and reactive.

The New Yorker

Twain was gregarious and social, and his travel in exotic places made him even funnier and more alert.

Forbes

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "made him alert" when you want to emphasize that a specific event or action directly caused someone to become more aware or attentive. For example, "The unexpected noise made him alert to the potential danger."

Common error

Avoid consistently using passive constructions like "he was made alert". Opt for active voice when possible (e.g., "the noise alerted him") to create a more direct and engaging narrative.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "made him alert" functions as a causative construction, indicating that something caused someone to become more aware or attentive. Ludwig AI confirms its correctness. It often highlights a change in state due to an external factor, as illustrated in various examples.

Expression frequency: Common

Frequent in

News & Media

79%

Wiki

11%

Science

10%

Less common in

Formal & Business

0%

Academia

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "made him alert" is a grammatically correct and commonly used expression to describe how a person became more aware or attentive due to a specific cause. Ludwig AI validates its proper usage. Predominantly found in news and media sources, this phrase effectively conveys a change in a person's state of awareness. While it's generally suitable for professional and neutral contexts, being mindful of active voice alternatives can enhance writing clarity. Understanding its purpose and exploring related phrases can refine expression and improve overall writing quality.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

alerted him

A more direct and simple way of saying he was made aware or attentive.

heightened his awareness

Focuses on the increase in awareness, emphasizing the mental state.

made him vigilant

Emphasizes a state of watchfulness and careful observation.

sharpened his senses

Highlights the improvement in sensory perception, making him more attuned to his surroundings.

brought him to attention

Focuses on a sudden and immediate state of alertness.

caused him to be watchful

Highlights that the action caused a state of careful observation.

put him on his guard

Implies a state of readiness or defensiveness, suggesting he's prepared for potential threats.

stimulated his alertness

Focuses on something that created a state of readiness.

prompted his alertness

Highlights an action that quickly caused a state of awareness.

stirred his attention

Highlights drawing someone's focus.

FAQs

How can I use "made him alert" in a sentence?

Use "made him alert" to describe a situation where someone's awareness or attentiveness increased due to a specific stimulus or event. For example, "The sudden movement in the shadows "made him alert" to the potential threat".

What are some alternatives to "made him alert"?

Alternatives include "heightened his awareness", "sharpened his senses", or "put him on his guard" depending on the specific nuance you want to convey.

Is "made him alert" grammatically correct?

Yes, "made him alert" is grammatically correct. It follows the standard subject-verb-object structure and is commonly used in written English.

What's the difference between "made him alert" and "alerted him"?

"Alerted him" is a more direct and concise way of saying the same thing. "Made him alert" might be used to emphasize the process or cause of becoming alert, while "alerted him" is simply stating the result.