make him proud

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "make him proud" is correct and usable in written English.
You can use it when expressing the desire to achieve something that would elicit pride from a specific person, often a parent or mentor. Example: "I hope to graduate with honors to make him proud."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

50 human-written examples

Boy, did they all make him proud.

The New York Times

"He really wanted to make him proud".

The New York Times

I think it will make him proud".

The New York Times

"With Kid, you just wanted to make him proud.

The New York Times - Sports

Everything I did was just to make him proud".

The Guardian - Film

Doesn't this award make him proud to be Irish?

The Guardian - Books

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

6 human-written examples

That made him proud as well.

The Guardian - Sport

I hope I would have made him proud".

The New Yorker

I hope the last episode makes him proud".

The Guardian

And I am extremely pleased to have made him proud".

The Guardian - Books

"But I still think I made him proud".

The New Yorker

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

To ensure your actions "make him proud", seek feedback and guidance from him beforehand. Understanding his expectations and priorities can help you align your efforts and increase the likelihood of achieving a positive outcome.

Common error

Be mindful of the potential for misinterpreting the desire to "make him proud" as seeking validation or approval. Focus on genuine effort and personal growth rather than solely aiming for external recognition to avoid appearing arrogant or self-serving.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "make him proud" typically functions as an infinitive phrase expressing purpose or intention. It is often used to describe the motivation behind someone's actions, as seen in Ludwig examples where individuals strive to achieve goals or behave in ways that would elicit a sense of pride in another person.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

100%

Less common in

Science

0%

Formal & Business

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "make him proud" is a very common and grammatically correct expression used to convey the desire to gain someone's approval or respect, primarily observed within News & Media contexts. According to Ludwig, the phrase is used to express intentions and motivations, highlighting the value placed on another person's positive regard. To avoid misinterpretations, it's important to focus on genuine effort rather than solely seeking external validation. Understanding nuances and alternatives, like "elicit his admiration" or "gain his approval", allows for more precise communication. As Ludwig AI indicates, the phrase is usable in written English.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

fill him with pride

More intense and evocative, emphasizing a sense of accomplishment and self-worth in the other person.

earn his praise

Centers on receiving commendation, suggesting a formal or public acknowledgment of achievement.

gain his approval

Emphasizes receiving explicit approval, which is a more direct and potentially conditional form of positive feedback.

win his respect

Highlights earning respect, suggesting a more prolonged effort and a deeper level of appreciation.

elicit his admiration

Focuses on inspiring admiration, implying respect and a degree of awe, a slightly stronger emotion than pride.

give him satisfaction

Highlights the act of providing a feeling of fulfillment or gratification.

make him satisfied

Focuses on contentment, a less intense emotion than pride but still positive.

bring him joy

Aims to evoke happiness, which is a broader and more general emotion than pride.

make him content

Similar to 'make him satisfied' but emphasizes a state of peaceful happiness.

meet his expectations

Implies fulfilling a pre-existing standard, rather than necessarily evoking a positive emotional response beyond satisfaction.

FAQs

How can I use the phrase "make him proud" in a sentence?

You can use "make him proud" to express a desire to achieve something that would bring pride to someone, often a parent or mentor. For instance, "I want to work hard and graduate with honors to "make him proud"".

What are some alternative phrases to "make him proud"?

Alternatives include "elicit his admiration", "gain his approval", or "win his respect", depending on the specific nuance you want to convey.

Is it better to say "make him proud" or "making him proud"?

Both phrases are grammatically correct, but they serve different grammatical roles. "Make him proud" is typically used as an infinitive or imperative, while "making him proud" is a gerund or present participle. The best choice depends on the specific sentence structure.

What's the difference between "make him proud" and "fill him with pride"?

"Make him proud" suggests an action or achievement that elicits pride. "Fill him with pride" emphasizes the resulting emotion, implying a stronger and more encompassing feeling. "Fill him with pride" is generally more intense and evocative.