made him drink

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "made him drink" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used in contexts where someone is compelled or forced to consume a beverage, often in a narrative or descriptive manner. Example: "The villain made him drink the potion against his will, sealing his fate."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Wiki

Formal & Business

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

10 human-written examples

"They made him drink benzene – that was what killed him.

Independent

They later beat him and made him drink urine, they admitted.

The New York Times

One witness says Ms. Basic made him drink gasoline, then set fire to his hands and face.

The New York Times

Their second date was at a Korean restaurant – "and I made him drink a lot of Korean alcohol!

The Guardian - Lifestyle

He said the boy, a "bush kid" with little understanding of city institutions, told him he'd been tied spread-eagled and upright and left for two hours, and that when he once asked an officer for a glass of water, the officer urinated in the toilet and made him drink it.

The Guardian

"And then I made him drink a big glass of water with a bunch of lemon squeezed in it".

BBC

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

49 human-written examples

Did she make him drink?

The New Yorker

And now we're gonna make him drink it!

The New York Times - Arts

I've just got to lead the horse to the water and make him drink".

The New York Times - Sports

As Mr Kerry put it, "you can lead a horse to water, but you can't make him drink".

The Economist

We got the horse to the water, and someone else can make him drink.

The New Yorker

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Consider stronger verbs like "forced" or "compelled" if the situation involves coercion or a lack of consent.

Common error

Avoid implying direct physical force when the influence was psychological or social. Use verbs like "persuaded" or "encouraged" instead if there wasn't explicit coercion.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "made him drink" functions as a causative construction, indicating that someone or something caused another person to consume a beverage. Ludwig AI confirms its grammatical correctness.

Expression frequency: Uncommon

Frequent in

News & Media

70%

Wiki

20%

Formal & Business

10%

Less common in

Science

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "made him drink" is a grammatically correct and usable construction, primarily employed to describe situations where someone influences or forces another to consume a beverage. As highlighted by Ludwig AI, while generally neutral in tone, the specific context can significantly alter its implied meaning. Its frequency is uncommon, with usage concentrated in News & Media and Wiki sources. Alternatives like "forced him to drink" or "compelled him to drink" can provide greater precision depending on the context. Understanding the nuances of causation and intent is crucial for effective communication.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

forced him to drink

Emphasizes a stronger element of compulsion or coercion.

compelled him to drink

Suggests a formal or moral obligation leading to the act.

induced him to drink

Implies persuasion or encouragement rather than outright force.

caused him to drink

Focuses on the action that brought about the drinking.

got him to drink

A more informal way of saying someone was persuaded or tricked into drinking.

allowed him to drink

Similar to "let him drink" but more formal.

let him drink

Indicates permission or allowance to drink.

offered him a drink

Highlights the act of providing a beverage rather than compelling consumption.

provided him with a drink

Focuses on the act of supplying a beverage.

prepared him a drink

Highlights the preparation of a beverage for someone.

FAQs

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

Use "made him drink" to describe a situation where someone caused another person to consume a beverage, whether willingly or unwillingly. For example, "The dare made him drink a strange concoction".

What are some alternatives to "made him drink"?

You can use alternatives like "forced him to drink", "compelled him to drink", or "induced him to drink depending on the context".

Is "made him drink" formal or informal?

"Made him drink" is generally neutral and can be used in both formal and informal contexts, although more formal situations might benefit from stronger, more precise verbs like "compelled".

What's the difference between "made him drink" and "offered him a drink"?

"Made him drink" implies influence or causation in the act of drinking, while "offered him a drink" simply describes the act of providing a beverage without necessarily implying consumption or influence.