make him sleep

USAGE SUMMARY

"make him sleep" is a grammatically correct and usable phrase in written English.
You can use it when you want to express the idea of causing someone to go to sleep, often by using a command or request. Example: After a long day of playing outside, the exhausted mother tried everything to make her restless toddler sleep. She sang lullabies, read stories, and even gave him warm milk, but nothing seemed to work. Finally, she resorted to her last option and sternly said, "I'm going to make you sleep now, young man. Close your eyes and count sheep."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

21 human-written examples

There, they give him medicines that make him sleep.

The Guardian

At the very least, make him sleep on the sofa for a year or so.

The New Yorker

Don't let him sleep in your bed — make him sleep on the sofa.

The New Yorker

As their relationship improves, Son demands fewer shots to make him sleep & bothers the drs. less.

The New Yorker

No. Li said she was going to make him sleep in the bathroom.

The Guardian - Sport

The image shows Harry Potter in the cupboard under the stairs where the Dursleys make him sleep.

The Guardian

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

39 human-written examples

It had made him sleep uneasily.

The New Yorker

Made him sleep on the couch.

The New Yorker

Another said that it made him sleep extremely well!

The Guardian

She kept him in an attic and made him sleep in an upright chair, Mr. Freud said.

The New York Times

"He said they handcuffed him and made him sleep in the police station.

The Guardian

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When describing methods to help someone sleep, be specific about the techniques used, such as "reading aloud" or "playing soft music", to add clarity and context.

Common error

Avoid using "make him sleep" in contexts where it implies coercion or force, as this can carry negative connotations. Instead, opt for gentler alternatives like "help him fall asleep" if the intention is to assist, not compel.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "make him sleep" functions as a causative construction, where "make" is used as a causative verb. This indicates that someone or something is causing another person to enter a state of sleep. According to Ludwig AI, this is a grammatically correct phrase.

Expression frequency: Common

Frequent in

News & Media

50%

Science

25%

Wiki

10%

Less common in

Formal & Business

5%

Reference

5%

Social Media

5%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "make him sleep" is a grammatically correct causative construction used to indicate causing someone to go to sleep. Ludwig AI confirms its validity, and it appears commonly in news and media contexts, as well as in scientific discussions. While generally neutral in tone, caution should be used to avoid implications of coercion. Consider gentler alternatives like "help him fall asleep" to soften the connotation when appropriate.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

put him to sleep

A common idiom that is interchangeable with "make him sleep".

cause him to sleep

Replaces "make" with "cause" and adds "to", emphasizing causation more explicitly.

get him to sleep

Uses "get" instead of "make", which is a more colloquial way of expressing the same idea.

help him fall asleep

Shifts the focus to assisting the subject in initiating sleep.

induce sleep in him

More formal and clinical alternative, focusing on the induction of sleep.

lull him to sleep

Implies a gentle and soothing method of causing sleep.

ensure he sleeps

Focuses on ensuring that sleep occurs, rather than causing it directly.

force him to sleep

Emphasizes compulsion, making it a stronger, potentially negative alternative.

give him a sleeping aid

Suggests providing something that assists in sleeping.

administer a sedative

Indicates a medical approach to inducing sleep, often through medication.

FAQs

How can I rephrase "make him sleep" to sound less forceful?

You can use alternatives such as "help him fall asleep", "get him to sleep", or "lull him to sleep" depending on the context.

Is "make him sleep" grammatically correct?

Yes, "make him sleep" is grammatically correct. It uses "make" in the causative sense, indicating that you are causing someone to go to sleep.

What does it mean to "put someone to sleep"?

To "put someone to sleep" is an idiomatic way of saying to "make him sleep", often implying the use of a method or substance to induce sleep. It can also refer to euthanizing an animal.

When is it appropriate to use "make him sleep"?

It is appropriate to use "make him sleep" when you want to express the idea of causing someone to go to sleep, often by using a command or request. Be mindful of the connotation and context to avoid implying coercion.