made to

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "made to" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to indicate that someone has been forced or compelled to do something, usually by someone else. For example, "he was made to work overtime" or "she was made to apologize".

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Encyclopedias

Science

Formal & Business

Wiki

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

One made to last!

The New York Times

It's made to order.

The New Yorker

We are made to cooperate".

The New York Times

"It wasn't made to happen.

The New York Times - Sports

|  "Made to Scale: Staircase Masterpieces".

The New Yorker

He was made to pay.

The New Yorker

Everything is made to order.

The New York Times

"It's made to be read.

The New York Times

Everything was made to order.

The New York Times - Sports

OLDENBURG The audience was made to suffer.

The New York Times - Arts

The decision was made to stay.

The New York Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "made to", ensure the context clearly indicates who or what is exerting the force or influence. This prevents ambiguity and strengthens the sentence's meaning.

Common error

Avoid using "made to" in contexts where active voice would be clearer and more direct. Overuse of the passive construction can weaken your writing.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "made to" primarily functions as a verbal phrase indicating compulsion or design. Examples from Ludwig show its use in contexts ranging from being forced to act to something being designed for a specific purpose. Ludwig AI confirms its grammatical correctness.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

45%

Encyclopedias

15%

Wiki

12%

Less common in

Science

10%

Formal & Business

8%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "made to" is a versatile and commonly used verbal phrase that indicates compulsion, obligation, or design. As Ludwig AI confirms, it is grammatically correct and widely accepted in English writing. It is frequently found in News & Media, Encyclopedias and Wiki sources, demonstrating its broad applicability. The phrase can denote that someone has been forced into an action or that something was created with a specific intention. When using "made to", ensure the context clearly identifies the source of influence and consider whether active voice might be more effective. Exploring alternatives like "compelled to" or "designed for" can help refine your writing.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

compelled to

Indicates being forced or obliged to do something, similar to "made to" but emphasizes the force.

forced to

Implies a stronger degree of coercion than "made to", suggesting resistance was overcome.

obliged to

Suggests a sense of duty or moral requirement, differing slightly from the direct action of "made to".

required to

Indicates a formal requirement or necessity, often by rule or law, similar to being "made to" follow guidelines.

designed for

Focuses on the purpose or intention behind the creation, shifting from compulsion to suitability.

created for

Emphasizes the act of creation or production with a specific purpose, less about force and more about intention.

intended for

Highlights the planned use or destination, differing from the forced nature of "made to".

constructed to

Focuses on the building or assembly process, suggesting purpose-built design rather than compulsion.

built for

Emphasizes the purpose behind the construction, similar to 'designed for' but with a more tangible creation.

fashioned for

Highlights the craftsmanship and suitability, slightly more artistic or specialized than "made to".

FAQs

How can I use "made to" in a sentence?

You can use "made to" to indicate that someone was forced or compelled to do something. For example, "He was made to apologize" or "She was made to work overtime".

What are some alternatives to "made to"?

Alternatives include "compelled to", "forced to", or "obliged to", depending on the context and the degree of compulsion you want to convey.

What's the difference between "made to" and "designed to"?

"Made to" suggests compulsion or being forced, while "designed to" indicates purpose or intention in the creation of something.

When should I use "made to" instead of a more direct verb?

Use "made to" when you want to emphasize the external force or influence that caused someone to do something, rather than their own volition. It's particularly useful in the passive voice.