make him suffer

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "make him suffer" is correct and usable in written English.
It is most commonly used to refer to inflicting emotional or mental anguish. For example, one might say, "The teenager's parents were so angry with him for missing his curfew that they decided to make him suffer by not allowing him to go out with his friends for a month."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Wiki

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

17 human-written examples

"Let's make him suffer".

The Guardian - TV & Radio

Make him suffer, not me".

The New York Times

Before it's all, vividly, over, one feels confident that Reacher — smart, rootless, and brave — will not only get his man but make him suffer.

The New Yorker

He's never liked parting from his mother, and now they've woken him up late at night only to make him suffer a sudden separation.

The New Yorker

Jared Cade, author of Agatha Christie and the Eleven Missing Days, says her primary motive was clear: "Hell hath no fury… She wanted to disrupt his weekend with Nancy Neele and make him suffer, although she still adored him.

Independent

Kati Hamadi, a mother of three who lost her husband and brother to Saddam's henchmen during the 80s and 90s, told Reuters: "There must be a way to really make him suffer.

The Guardian

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

43 human-written examples

"If it's such a masterpiece," he asks, "why doesn't anybody go?" It is also apparent that Bach hasn't forgiven Cimino for the indignities the director made him suffer during the making of Heaven's Gate.

The Guardian - Film

I made him suffer.

The New Yorker

Made him suffer".

The New Yorker

She makes him suffer.

The New York Times - Books

"I made him suffer more than he had to".

The Guardian - Books

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use the phrase "make him suffer" when you want to emphasize the intent to cause pain, hardship, or distress, whether emotional or physical.

Common error

While "make him suffer" is a valid phrase, overuse can make your writing sound repetitive or melodramatic. Consider using synonyms like "cause him pain" or "give him a hard time" for variety and nuance.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "make him suffer" functions as a verb phrase, where "make" is a causative verb followed by a direct object ("him") and an infinitive without "to" ("suffer"). Ludwig AI confirms its grammatical correctness and usability.

Expression frequency: Common

Frequent in

News & Media

75%

Wiki

12%

Academia

4%

Less common in

Formal & Business

3%

Science

3%

Encyclopedias

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "make him suffer" is a grammatically sound and commonly used expression, predominantly found in News & Media contexts. It conveys a clear intent to cause hardship or pain to someone. Ludwig AI confirms its correctness and usability. While versatile, writers should avoid overusing it and consider alternative expressions like "cause him pain" or "give him a hard time" to prevent repetition. Keep in mind it is neutral in formality, make sure it matches the tone and level required for the piece of writing. Common pitfalls include using incorrect forms like "make him to suffer". With careful attention to nuance and context, "make him suffer" can effectively communicate the desired meaning.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

cause him pain

Focuses on inflicting physical or emotional pain, a more direct and general term.

inflict suffering on him

More formal and emphasizes the act of imposing suffering.

bring him to grief

Emphasizes causing sorrow and distress.

give him a hard time

A more colloquial expression suggesting difficulties and challenges.

make his life difficult

Focuses on creating obstacles and problems in his life.

exact revenge on him

Implies a specific act of retribution for a perceived wrong.

punish him severely

Emphasizes meting out a harsh penalty.

make him regret it

Focuses on causing remorse or repentance.

give him what he deserves

Suggests dispensing a just, though potentially unpleasant, outcome.

let him have it

An informal expression implying a verbal or physical attack.

FAQs

How can I use "make him suffer" in a sentence?

You can use "make him suffer" to describe an intention to inflict pain or hardship, as in, "She plotted to make him suffer for betraying her trust."

What are some alternatives to "make him suffer"?

Some alternatives include "cause him pain", "inflict suffering on him", or "give him a hard time", depending on the specific context.

Is it grammatically correct to say "make him to suffer"?

No, "make him to suffer" is grammatically incorrect. The correct form is "make him suffer" because "make" functions as a causative verb, which doesn't require "to" before the infinitive.

What is the difference between "make him suffer" and "let him suffer"?

"Make him suffer" implies an active role in causing pain or hardship, while "let him suffer" suggests allowing suffering to occur without intervention. The first suggests directly causing some unpleasantness, the second suggests the intention to not alleviate an existing unpleasant situation.