make someone upset

USAGE SUMMARY

'make someone upset' is correct and usable in written English.
You can use it when you want to describe a situation in which someone feels unhappy because of something that happened. For example: "His cruel words made her very upset."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Wiki

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

3 human-written examples

They're adamant that sensitive subjects shouldn't be avoided just because of the possibility that the topic might make someone upset.

The Guardian

Talk to people, with makes you more social and you can get a better Idea to not make someone upset while your talking to them.

WikiHow

Even if you just want to make a joke or have a conversation, you can't talk badly about any person or be perverted, because that is definitely not nice and will make someone upset or uncomfortable.

WikiHow

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

57 human-written examples

Maybe I'm a facilitator of something that'd make someone else really, really upset, but I'm not the initiator.

Vice

Ever make someone bleed?

The New York Times

Ever make someone cry?

The New York Times

Make someone's day.

WikiHow

Make someone a PowerPoint presentation.

WikiHow

So you can see why people are upset: CBS made someone totally indifferent look callous".

The New York Times - Arts

She worried about upsetting staff or making someone mad – to the extent that she would not ask for things she needed.

The Guardian - Opinion

Don't tattle-tale on someone, attack that person or make him/her upset.

WikiHow

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Consider the context and audience when using the phrase "make someone upset". It's a fairly neutral expression, but in sensitive situations, more empathetic language might be appropriate.

Common error

While acceptable, "make someone upset" can sound simplistic in formal contexts. Opt for stronger verbs like 'aggrieve', 'disappoint', or 'sadden' for greater impact.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "make someone upset" functions as a causative construction, indicating that one action or event leads to someone experiencing the emotion of being upset. Ludwig AI confirms that the phrase is correct and usable.

Expression frequency: Common

Frequent in

Wiki

33%

News & Media

33%

Formal & Business

0%

Less common in

Science

0%

Reference

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "make someone upset" is a common and grammatically correct way to describe causing someone to feel unhappy. Ludwig AI confirms its usability in written English. While versatile, it's important to consider the context. In formal writing, more precise verbs like "disappoint" or "sadden" may be more impactful. The phrase is frequently found in News & Media and Wiki sources. Consider the intensity of the emotion you want to convey and choose your words accordingly, perhaps using alternatives such as "hurt someone's feelings" or "cause distress".

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

hurt someone's feelings

This phrase is a more direct and common way of saying you caused emotional pain.

sadden someone

This alternative is a more direct way of stating that you caused someone to feel sad.

cause distress to someone

This alternative uses more formal language to describe the act of causing emotional upset.

put someone in a bad mood

This phrase refers to causing someone to feel unhappy or irritable.

inflict sorrow on someone

This is a more dramatic and literary way to describe causing sadness.

rile someone up

This phrase suggests provoking someone to anger or frustration.

aggravate someone

This suggests a lesser degree of upset, more akin to annoyance or irritation.

ruffle someone's feathers

This idiom means to annoy or irritate someone.

displease someone

This implies a feeling of dissatisfaction or disappointment rather than strong upset.

stir up trouble for someone

This suggests creating problems or difficulties for someone, leading to upset.

FAQs

How can I avoid using "make someone upset"?

Consider using more specific verbs that describe the emotional impact, such as "disappoint", "sadden", or "anger" depending on the specific emotion you want to convey.

Is "make someone upset" too informal for academic writing?

While grammatically correct, "make someone upset" might be perceived as less sophisticated in academic writing. Using more precise and formal vocabulary can enhance the clarity and impact of your writing. Consider alternatives like "cause distress" or "provoke displeasure".

What's the difference between "make someone upset" and "hurt someone's feelings"?

"Make someone upset" is a general term for causing unhappiness. "Hurt someone's feelings" /s/hurt+someone's+feelings implies a more personal and emotional wound, often unintentional.

When is it appropriate to use the phrase "make someone upset"?

It's suitable in everyday conversation and writing when you want to generally convey that someone has caused another person to feel unhappy, annoyed, or disappointed. However, in more formal contexts, consider using stronger and more precise verbs.