make them be

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "make them be" is grammatically correct and can be used in written English.
It is often used to indicate that someone is causing or forcing someone else to behave or act in a certain way. Example: The new company policy will make all employees be more productive. In this sentence, the speaker is implying that the new policy will require or force the employees to be more productive. Other examples could include: - She always tries to make her children be polite and well-mannered. - The coach's training methods really made the team be more disciplined on the field. - I hate when my boss tries to make me be someone I'm not.

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Formal & Business

Wiki

Academia

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

46 human-written examples

They use the term that's going to make them be as distant from it as possible".

The New York Times

This has got to make them be more interested than before.

The New York Times - Sports

The size, shape, composition or any other physical fact about neural circuits is not enough to make them be about anything.

The New York Times

"It's giving babies chemicals that are doing them no good and potentially can cause central nervous system irritability and make them be up more at night".

The New York Times - Health

"We knew if we could control the high-flying dunks and the Globetrotter show, we could make them be in a halfcourt set, which is something they don't want to do," Garnett said.

The New York Times - Sports

"It's always dangerous when you market young kids before their time, when you try to make them be somebody you want them to be before they're ready to be that person.

The New York Times - Sports

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

14 human-written examples

Making them is hard.

The Economist

Making them was never the issue.

The New York Times - Sports

How he makes them is irrelevant now.

Independent

Who made them is not publicly known.

The New York Times

Making them is what's fun.

The New Yorker

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "make them be", ensure the intended meaning is clear and the context supports the causative nature of the phrase. Avoid ambiguity by ensuring the sentence structure clearly identifies who is causing whom to be in a certain state.

Common error

While grammatically correct, excessive use of "make them be" can sound repetitive or less sophisticated in formal writing. Consider using stronger verbs or more concise constructions to convey the same meaning with greater impact.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "make them be" functions as a causative construction, where "make" acts as a causative verb, indicating that someone or something is causing another entity to be in a certain state. Examples from Ludwig showcase this function in various contexts, with Ludwig AI confirming its grammatical correctness.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

38%

Science

27%

Wiki

18%

Less common in

Formal & Business

9%

Academia

5%

Reference

3%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "make them be" is a grammatically correct causative construction used to express the act of influencing or causing someone or something to be in a particular state. Ludwig highlights its usage across diverse contexts, ranging from news and media to scientific publications. While Ludwig AI confirms its validity, more formal writing may benefit from exploring stronger verbs or more concise alternatives. Its frequency is very common.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

cause them to be

Replaces "make" with "cause", which emphasizes the direct influence, maintaining a similar level of formality.

force them to be

Emphasizes coercion, implying that the individuals are being compelled against their will.

compel them to be

Similar to "force them to be", but often carries a stronger sense of legal or moral obligation.

lead them to be

Suggests guidance or influence rather than direct causation, implying a more subtle approach.

encourage them to be

Implies a positive influence aimed at inspiring a particular behavior or state.

influence them to be

Highlights the act of having an effect on their state without necessarily causing it directly.

get them to be

A more informal alternative to "make them be", suitable for casual conversation.

have them be

Emphasizes the speaker's intention or desire for them to be in a certain state.

require them to be

Indicates a necessity or obligation, often in a formal or official context.

condition them to be

Suggests a process of training or adaptation to achieve a particular state or behavior.

FAQs

How can I use "make them be" in a sentence?

The phrase "make them be" indicates causing someone to adopt a specific state or characteristic. For instance, "The company's new policy will make them be more efficient."

What are some alternatives to using "make them be"?

Depending on the context, you could use phrases like "cause them to be", "force them to be", or "lead them to be".

Is there a difference between "make them be" and "make them become"?

While similar, "make them be" focuses on the resulting state, while "make them become" emphasizes the process of changing into something. For example, "make them be quiet" versus "make them become leaders".

When is it appropriate to use "make them be" in writing?

It's suitable when you want to express the idea of causing someone or something to enter a particular state or condition. However, in formal writing, consider more concise alternatives for greater clarity and sophistication.