make someone cry

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "make someone cry" is a correct and usable phrase in written English.
You can use it when you want to refer to an action that has caused a person to cry. For example, "Jane's heart-wrenching story made everyone in the room cry."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Wiki

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

12 human-written examples

Ever make someone cry?

The New York Times

Anyone whose writing can make someone cry is talented.

The Guardian

It might make raise spirits or make someone cry.

The Guardian - Music

"I took this perverse pleasure in seeing if I could make someone cry," he said.

The New York Times

But there's a problem in departing from the literal truth to achieve an effect - in the worst case, melodrama, where you make someone cry.

The Guardian - Books

Peter Bogdanovich quoted somebody like Tallulah Bankhead at John Ritter's memorial, and she said something like: 'It's easy to make someone cry.

The New York Times

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

47 human-written examples

So has he ever made someone cry on a shoot?

The Guardian - Arts

Our neighborhood Facebook page describes one as "a sadist" and another was happy only if she made someone cry.

The New York Times

"We all had this sense that we had done something that made someone cry 5,000 miles away," Mr. Moser said.

The New York Times

We believe if we have inspired someone, made someone cry, or elicited an emotional response in some positive way, then we have succeeded.

Huffington Post

I remember asking Ralf if there was one note that can make someone smile and cry at the same time.

The New York Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using the phrase "make someone cry", ensure the context clearly indicates whether the action is intentional or unintentional to avoid misinterpretations.

Common error

Avoid using "make someone cry" loosely. Ensure the action you're describing directly and logically leads to the person's tears, rather than being a coincidental or indirect factor.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "make someone cry" functions as a causative verb phrase. It indicates an action or event that results in a person crying. Ludwig AI confirms the phrase is correct and usable.

Expression frequency: Common

Frequent in

News & Media

70%

Wiki

20%

Science

10%

Less common in

Formal & Business

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "make someone cry" is a common and grammatically correct way to describe the act of causing someone to shed tears. As indicated by Ludwig AI, it's a usable phrase in written English. Usage analysis reveals it's frequently found in News & Media and Wiki sources, suggesting a neutral register. When employing this phrase, consider the context, as it can imply intentional or unintentional actions and encompass tears of sadness, joy, or catharsis. Alternatives like "cause someone to weep" or "bring tears to someone's eyes" can provide subtle shifts in meaning or formality.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

cause someone to weep

Replaces "cry" with a more formal synonym, "weep", indicating a deeper level of sadness.

bring tears to someone's eyes

Emphasizes the physical manifestation of sadness by focusing on the tears.

drive someone to tears

Highlights the force or pressure that leads to crying.

reduce someone to tears

Similar to 'drive someone to tears', but indicates a more significant emotional impact.

elicit tears from someone

More formal and technical, suggesting a deliberate or artistic act.

cause someone grief

Broader than just crying; indicates a deeper sense of sorrow or pain.

break someone's heart

Focuses on the emotional pain and devastation, which may or may not result in crying.

inflict sorrow upon someone

Formal and emphasizes the act of imposing sadness on another person.

distress someone deeply

Indicates a profound level of upset, which might not always manifest as crying.

wound someone emotionally

Suggests a lasting emotional injury, potentially more severe than a passing moment of tears.

FAQs

How can I use "make someone cry" in a sentence?

You can use "make someone cry" to describe an action that causes someone to shed tears, either intentionally or unintentionally. For example, "The sad movie made me cry", or "His harsh words made her cry".

What are some alternatives to "make someone cry"?

Alternatives include "cause someone to weep", "bring tears to someone's eyes", or "reduce someone to tears", depending on the context and desired level of formality.

Is it always negative to "make someone cry"?

While often associated with negative emotions like sadness or pain, "make someone cry" can also refer to tears of joy, relief, or catharsis. The context is crucial in determining the emotional valence.

What's the difference between "make someone cry" and "make someone weep"?

"Make someone cry" is a more general and common expression, while "make someone weep" suggests a deeper, more profound level of sorrow or emotional release. "Weep" is also more formal.