make someone smile

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "make someone smile" is correct and usable in written English.
You can use it when referring to actions or words that bring joy or happiness to another person. Example: "Her kind words were enough to make someone smile on a tough day."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Wiki

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

22 human-written examples

Offer to help, give away your change, pay a compliment, or make someone smile.

The Guardian - Lifestyle

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

The New York Times

Trying to connect with young people, and trying to diffuse tension, it really helps if you can make someone smile.

The Guardian

At the very least, give the comedy tie, fluorescent socks or stripy tights you were given for Christmas a rare outing - they might just make someone smile.

Independent

Other years, holiday shopping can transport me, if only for a few hours, to an alternative realm where the right gift might be enough to make someone smile.

The New York Times - Tech

"Because ultimately I know that's more important than anything I do on the football field, is the ability to brighten a kid's day or the ability to make someone smile," Tebow said.

The New York Times - Sports

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

37 human-written examples

Making someone smile also inflates our egos, which in turn makes us happy!

Independent

Still, the book has many pleasures, not the least of which is the cat licking its lips after making a meal of the bigoted aunt: "Though cat ate rat, there's no denial, / Aunt Rat at last made someone smile".

The New York Times - Books

It may be because the digital garbage she chose to work with is so obnoxious, ubiquitous and deeply despised that her work was so quickly embraced online; making someone smile with a spam byproduct is no small feat.

The New York Times - Magazine

Making someone smile, holding the door for someone, giving someone a hug when they really really need it.

TechCrunch

He receives messages daily from Facebook fans around the world who say that he has made someone smile, that he lifted someone's spirits, that he is making a difference in people's lives.

Huffington Post

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When aiming to inspire a positive emotion in the reader, focus on actionable advice with concrete examples that can "make someone smile".

Common error

While effective, avoid using "make someone smile" repetitively in close proximity. Vary your language by using synonyms such as "bring a smile to someone's face" or "cheer someone up" to maintain reader engagement and avoid monotony.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "make someone smile" functions as a causative verb phrase. It describes an action (make) that causes a specific state or action (smile) in another person. As Ludwig AI confirms, the phrase is correct and suitable for use in written English.

Expression frequency: Common

Frequent in

News & Media

50%

Wiki

32%

Huffington Post

18%

Less common in

TechCrunch

0%

The Guardian - Film

0%

The New York Times - Books

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "make someone smile" is a grammatically sound and versatile expression for describing actions that bring joy or happiness to others. As Ludwig AI highlights, the expression is usable in written English. It's commonly found in News & Media and Wiki articles, with a neutral register suitable for various contexts. While the phrase enjoys widespread use, remember to vary your wording to avoid repetition. Consider synonyms like "bring a smile to someone's face" or "cheer someone up" for enhanced stylistic impact. Aim for concrete examples and actionable advice in your writing to effectively inspire happiness.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

bring a smile to someone's face

More descriptive, emphasizing the visual result of happiness.

put a smile on someone's face

Similar to "bring a smile", but emphasizes the action of placing the smile.

cheer someone up

Focuses on lifting someone's spirits from a state of sadness.

brighten someone's day

Highlights the positive impact on the entirety of someone's day.

lift someone's spirits

Similar to "cheer someone up", but slightly more general.

make someone happy

Broader term referring to general happiness, not just a smile.

delight someone

Implies a higher degree of pleasure and joy.

warm someone's heart

Focuses on eliciting feelings of affection and comfort.

amuse someone

Specifically refers to causing laughter or entertainment.

tickle someone's funny bone

Idiomatic expression for making someone laugh.

FAQs

How can I "make someone smile" in everyday interactions?

Small acts of kindness, like offering a sincere compliment, holding the door open, or sharing a funny story, can easily "make someone smile". Even a simple, genuine "smile" can brighten their day.

What are some alternatives to the phrase "make someone smile"?

You can use alternatives like "bring a smile to someone's face", "cheer someone up", "brighten someone's day", or "make someone happy", depending on the specific nuance you want to convey.

Is it grammatically correct to say "make someone smiling" instead of "make someone smile"?

No, "make someone smiling" is grammatically incorrect. The correct form is "make someone smile", where "smile" is the bare infinitive form of the verb after the verb "make". In this construction, the base form of the verb should be used.

How does "make someone smile" differ from "make someone laugh"?

"Make someone smile" implies a gentle, often subtle, expression of happiness or pleasure. "Make someone laugh" suggests a stronger, more audible reaction of amusement. Smiling is generally easier to achieve and requires less intense humor or joy than laughter.