make of him

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "make of him" is correct and usable in written English.
It is typically used to inquire about someone's opinion or judgment regarding a person, often in the context of character or abilities. Example: "What do you make of him after the meeting? He seemed quite confident."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

53 human-written examples

What should history make of him?

The New Yorker

What did you make of him?

The Guardian

What are we to make of him?

The New York Times

What did his colleagues make of him?

The Guardian

What did his father make of him by that point?

The New York Times - Magazine

And, perhaps more importantly, what would Germans make of him?

Independent

We were just not sure what to make of him.

The Guardian

It's even harder to know what to make of him.

The Guardian - Sport

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

3 human-written examples

What would Barking have made of him?

The Guardian - Opinion

Dostoevsky and what Chekhov made of him.

The Guardian - Books

What does he think spectators made of him?

The Guardian - Music

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "make of him", ensure the context clearly indicates who is forming the opinion and about whom. This avoids ambiguity and enhances clarity in your writing.

Common error

Avoid using "make of him" in situations where the subject forming the opinion is unclear. Always specify who is doing the "making" to prevent confusion. For example, instead of "What to make of him?", specify "What did you make of him after the presentation?"

Linguistic Context

The phrase "make of him" functions as a phrasal verb used to inquire about someone's opinion, impression, or understanding of another person. As Ludwig AI highlights, it's commonly used in questions such as "What did you make of him?" to elicit a judgment or assessment.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

100%

Less common in

Science

0%

Formal & Business

0%

Academia

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "make of him" is a common and grammatically sound way to ask for someone's opinion or assessment of another person. As Ludwig AI confirms, it's versatile across many contexts, predominantly appearing in news and media. When employing this phrase, clarity about who is doing the assessing is crucial. For related expressions, consider alternatives like "think of him" or "perceive him" to subtly shift the nuance. By understanding its function and purpose, you can confidently use "make of him" in your writing and conversations.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

think of him

Focuses on general thoughts or opinions about the person.

perceive him

Emphasizes the way someone is understood or seen.

interpret him

Highlights the process of understanding his actions or character.

judge him

Focuses on forming an opinion or evaluation, often with a critical tone.

assess him

Implies a formal or structured evaluation of the person.

understand him

Highlights comprehension of his motives or character.

view him

Focuses on a particular perspective or angle of considering someone.

regard him

Similar to 'view him' but with a slightly more formal tone.

decipher him

Implies difficulty in understanding, needing careful analysis.

form an opinion of him

Explicitly states the act of creating a judgment or viewpoint.

FAQs

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

You can use "make of him" to ask about someone's impression or opinion of another person. For example: "What did you "make of him" during the interview?" or "I'm not sure what to "make of him" after that strange comment."

What's a more formal way to say "make of him"?

While "make of him" is generally acceptable, you might use "what is your assessment of him?" or "how do you perceive him?" for a more formal tone. For example, "What is your assessment of his leadership skills?"

Is it ever incorrect to use "make of him"?

It's generally correct, but ensure the context is appropriate. Avoid using it in situations where a direct assessment or judgment is inappropriate or presumptuous. For example, avoid saying it about a person who just experienced a tragedy.

What is the difference between "make of him" and "think of him"?

"Make of him" implies a more deliberate assessment or interpretation, while "think of him" refers to a more general opinion or thought. "What do you "make of him"?" suggests you want a considered judgment, while "What do you "think of him"?" is a more open-ended question.