made to obey

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "made to obey" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used in contexts where someone or something is conditioned or designed to follow commands or rules. Example: "The robot was made to obey its programming without question."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Wiki

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

4 human-written examples

"We have been relaxed, but now the NGO's will be made to obey the laws," he said.

The New York Times

On Wednesday the council deplored Iraq's action; Mr Butler himself is due in Baghdad on January 19th.But the council cannot agree on how Iraq should be made to obey its orders.

The Economist

"As the nation prepares to elect a new president," Admiral Mullen wrote, "we would all do well to remember the promises we made: to obey civilian authority, to support and defend the Constitution and to do our duty at all times".

The New York Times

The argument the laws give is elaborate, and appeals mainly to two points: an agreement they allege Socrates made to obey them by choosing to live in Athens, and the benefits they claim Socrates has received from them, which place Socrates under a stronger obligation to the laws than he has to his parents.

SEP

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

56 human-written examples

"Man is made to adore and obey," Sidonia tells the young aristocrat, "but if you will not command him, if you will give him nothing to worship, he will fashion his own divinities and find a chieftain in his own passions".

The New Yorker

Just as a novitiate nun taking her vows, during this sacred religious rite I made covenants to obey the commandments and to offer everything I am in the service of God.

The Guardian - Opinion

Make sure to obey your parents limitations on your wardrobe.

WikiHow

Make sure to obey the prison staff at all times.

WikiHow

With just the song, people will think that you are barraging women and showing them as sex objects, cellos to be caressed, soothed, made to remain silent and obey.

Huffington Post

The man, who was the size of a luggage locker, made no move to obey the order, not even when it was repeated at greater volume and at closer range.

The New Yorker

"The Iraqi Army entered Hayaniya and the Mahdi Army did not resist because they made a commitment to obey Moktada al-Sadr's order," said Harith al-Athari, the head of the Sadr office in Basra.

The New York Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "made to obey", ensure the context clearly indicates who or what is enforcing the obedience and to what rules or commands the subject is being made to adhere.

Common error

Avoid using "made to obey" in a way that obscures who is doing the making. Clarity is key; specify the agent enforcing the obedience to prevent confusion about responsibility and authority.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "made to obey" functions as a passive verb phrase, indicating that someone or something is being subjected to the act of obeying. Ludwig's examples show its usage in describing how entities are compelled to follow rules or commands.

Expression frequency: Rare

Frequent in

News & Media

50%

Science

25%

Wiki

25%

Less common in

Formal & Business

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Social Media

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "made to obey" is a grammatically sound passive verb phrase used to describe situations where someone or something is compelled to follow commands or rules. Ludwig indicates that it is most frequently found in news and media and science contexts, and its neutral register makes it suitable for formal communication. While not overly common, understanding its usage, as highlighted by Ludwig, is essential for clear and effective writing. Remember to clearly define who is doing the "making" to avoid ambiguity.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

forced to comply

Emphasizes external pressure and lack of choice in adhering to rules.

compelled to listen

Highlights the act of being forced to heed instructions or advice.

required to follow

Focuses on the necessity of adhering to specific guidelines or procedures.

obligated to submit

Implies a formal or moral duty to yield to authority.

coerced into compliance

Stresses the use of force or threats to achieve obedience.

subjected to control

Highlights the imposition of power to dictate behavior.

under duress to conform

Expresses compliance influenced by stressful or threatening conditions.

trained to submit

Focuses on how training instills obedience in someone.

conditioned to respond

Emphasizes a learned behavior in reaction to a stimulus or command.

programmed to heed

Implies an inherent or designed responsiveness to direction.

FAQs

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

Use "made to obey" to describe a situation where someone or something is forced or conditioned to follow commands or rules. For example: "The new regulations made the company obey stricter environmental standards."

What are some alternatives to "made to obey"?

You can use alternatives like "forced to comply", "required to follow", or "compelled to listen" depending on the specific context.

Is it better to say "forced to obey" or "made to obey"?

Both "forced to obey" and "made to obey" are grammatically correct and convey a similar meaning. The choice between them often depends on stylistic preference or the specific nuance you wish to express. "Forced" may imply a more direct or overt application of power than "made".

What's the difference between "made to obey" and "expected to obey"?

"Made to obey" implies a situation where obedience is enforced, while "expected to obey" suggests a presumption or anticipation of obedience, without necessarily implying enforcement. The phrase "expected to obey" can imply cultural or ethical standards.