make someone unhappy

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase can be used in written English.
For example: His words made me unhappy.

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Wiki

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

3 human-written examples

If I thought I'd done anything to make someone unhappy, I'd agonize.

The New Yorker

As a result, whatever NASA does is bound to make someone unhappy.

The New York Times

"Any decision the Fed will make will make someone unhappy, but what you want out of an independent agency is a careful deliberative process," said Mr. Kroszner, a professor of economics at the University of Chicago Booth School of Business.

The New York Times

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

56 human-written examples

The last thing you want to do is make someone important to you unhappy because you didn't give them a clear picture of what would be happening.

WikiHow

In reality, no one can really make someone else feel happy -- or unhappy.

Huffington Post

If your lust only makes someone else unhappy, you may need to consider that it's your business and not theirs.

WikiHow

But drugs don't make an unhappy marriage a happy marriage, they don't turn an unhappy childhood into a happy childhood and they won't make someone that you love love you.

The Guardian

Ever make someone bleed?

The New York Times

Ever make someone cry?

The New York Times

Make someone's day.

WikiHow

To get to the bottom of why, we need to define what makes someone happy or unhappy in the first place.

Independent

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Be mindful of the context. In formal writing, "cause someone displeasure" may be more appropriate than "make someone feel bad".

Common error

While grammatically correct, repeatedly using "make someone unhappy" in formal or professional writing can sound simplistic. Consider using more nuanced alternatives such as "cause dissatisfaction" or "lead to discontent" to enhance the sophistication of your writing.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "make someone unhappy" functions as a causative verb phrase. It describes an action or situation that causes a person to experience unhappiness. As indicated by Ludwig, the phrase is grammatically sound and readily used.

Expression frequency: Common

Frequent in

News & Media

50%

Wiki

33%

Science

17%

Less common in

Formal & Business

0%

Academia

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "make someone unhappy" is a common and grammatically correct way to express the act of causing someone to experience negative emotions. Ludwig AI confirms its validity and provides examples from diverse sources, indicating its widespread use. While versatile, it's important to consider the context and choose synonyms like "cause someone displeasure" or "distress someone" for more formal or nuanced writing. Remember to use it judiciously and be mindful of the emotional impact you wish to convey.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

make someone feel bad

This is a more general way of expressing the idea of causing unhappiness.

be the cause of someone's unhappiness

This rephrases the original phrase with a different grammatical structure.

leave someone feeling unhappy

This alternative emphasizes the resulting state of unhappiness.

cause someone displeasure

This alternative uses more formal language and emphasizes the feeling of displeasure.

make someone miserable

This emphasizes a more extreme state of unhappiness.

distress someone

This implies a deeper level of unhappiness and emotional pain.

inflict unhappiness on someone

This sounds more formal and suggests intentional action.

sadden someone

This focuses specifically on causing sadness.

bring sorrow to someone

This is a more poetic way of expressing the idea of causing unhappiness.

disappoint someone

This refers to failing to meet someone's expectations, leading to unhappiness.

FAQs

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

You can use "make someone unhappy" to describe an action or situation that causes someone to experience unhappiness. For example, "His decision to quit the team will likely "make someone unhappy"".

What are some synonyms for "make someone unhappy"?

Some synonyms for "make someone unhappy" include "cause someone displeasure", "sadden someone", and "disappoint someone". The best choice depends on the specific nuance you want to convey.

Is it always wrong to "make someone unhappy"?

Not necessarily. Sometimes, actions that "make someone unhappy" are necessary for the greater good or for upholding principles. The ethicality depends on the context and justification.

What's the difference between "make someone unhappy" and "make someone sad"?

While similar, "make someone unhappy" is broader. "Make someone sad" specifically implies causing sadness, while "make someone unhappy" can encompass a wider range of negative emotions like frustration, disappointment, or anger.