make someone proud

USAGE SUMMARY

"make someone proud" is grammatically correct and can be used in written English.
It means to cause someone to feel a sense of pride or satisfaction. Example: Your hard work and dedication will make your parents proud.

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Wiki

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

2 human-written examples

Our vision is to provide a safe haven for at-risk youth and street children to dream, be told that they have the ability to become whoever they want to be, and hear that they can make someone proud.

Huffington Post

Maybe you want to make someone proud?

WikiHow

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

58 human-written examples

What makes someone proud of their alma mater?

Science Magazine

It all begins on Wednesday, and it is enough to make someone who is proud of being an American even prouder.

Huffington Post

Ever make someone bleed?

The New York Times

Ever make someone cry?

The New York Times

My coming out wouldn't make me 'remarkable' or 'inspirational,' it would not make someone else 'proud.' My coming out wouldn't garner hundreds of likes on social media and the admiration of the press.

Huffington Post

Make someone's day.

WikiHow

Make yourself someone you're proud of, and someone other people can be proud of.

WikiHow

Someone wants to make their parents proud.

The Guardian - Opinion

Different customizable animations will make you proud to show off your hard work the next time someone asks for the time.

TechCrunch

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using the phrase "make someone proud", ensure that the action or achievement is genuinely something the person would value and appreciate. Tailor your actions to their values to maximize the positive impact.

Common error

Avoid using "make someone proud" as a means of seeking external validation. Focus on genuine accomplishments and intrinsic motivation rather than solely aiming to please others, which can lead to unhealthy expectations and disappointment.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "make someone proud" functions as a causative expression, where one's actions (the subject) lead to another person (the object) experiencing pride. As Ludwig AI suggests, it follows standard grammatical rules and aims to induce a feeling of pride in someone.

Expression frequency: Common

Frequent in

News & Media

35%

Wiki

30%

Science

15%

Less common in

Formal & Business

10%

Reference

5%

Academia

5%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "make someone proud" is a grammatically sound and commonly used expression, as confirmed by Ludwig AI. It conveys the idea of causing someone to experience pride through one's actions. Predominantly found in News & Media and Wiki contexts, it bridges informal and formal registers. When using this phrase, focus on actions aligned with the values of the person you aim to please and avoid seeking mere external validation. Consider alternatives like "fill someone with pride" or "be a source of pride for someone" to fine-tune your message. By understanding its function, purpose, and potential pitfalls, you can effectively use "make someone proud" to inspire and connect with others.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

fill someone with pride

Focuses on the emotion instilled rather than the action causing it.

give someone a sense of accomplishment

Highlights the feeling of achievement in the person being made proud.

be a source of pride for someone

Shifts the focus to the person or thing that causes the pride.

make someone esteem you

Emphasizes the high regard someone will have.

earn someone's admiration

Focuses on gaining respect and approval.

win someone's approval

Highlights the act of gaining someone's acceptance or validation.

gain someone's respect

Focuses on earning someone's high regard through actions.

do something that someone esteems

Highlights performing an action to gain regard.

be a credit to someone

Implies representing someone well and reflecting positively on them.

bring honor to someone

Suggests bringing prestige or recognition to someone.

FAQs

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

You can use "make someone proud" to express the desire to cause someone to feel a sense of pride or satisfaction, as in, "Your hard work will "make your parents proud"".

What does it mean to "make someone proud"?

To "make someone proud" means to do something that causes them to feel a sense of pride or satisfaction in your achievements or actions. It signifies that you have met or exceeded their expectations in a positive way.

Which is correct, "make someone proud" or "making someone proud"?

Both phrases are grammatically correct, but they serve different functions. "Make someone proud" is an infinitive phrase, often used in commands or statements of intent. "Making someone proud" is a gerund phrase, used as a noun or part of a continuous verb tense. For example, "Making my family proud is my main motivation".

What are some alternatives to "make someone proud"?

Alternatives to "make someone proud" include phrases like "fill someone with pride", "be a source of pride for someone", or "earn someone's admiration", depending on the context and the nuance you wish to convey.