make them drive

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "make them drive" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used when instructing or encouraging someone to compel others to operate a vehicle or to take action in a driving context. Example: "To ensure everyone arrives on time, we need to make them drive to the event."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Wiki

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

10 human-written examples

Make them drive.

The New York Times - Sports

You have to make them drive".

The New York Times - Sports

We wanted to make them drive the length of the field.

The New York Times - Sports

He believes that 85% of the people who apply for driver's licences have desirable qualities which make them drive a car safely.

The New Yorker

One chief executive made the comparison to lorry drivers - we accept that you can't make them drive all day without break - why not accept that in other parts of the business?

BBC

Remarks like that remind me why I ask my students to pay $3.74 per gallon and make them drive to see some art.

Huffington Post

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

48 human-written examples

"In the '80s we did several focus groups and we tried to find out what made them drive.

The New York Times

We made them wear helmets on their bikes, and when it was time to learn how to drive, we made them drive around town with us for hours, getting used to the roads they would use the most.

The New York Times

But if enough people can't afford the tickets, why penalize a team's hometown fan base with the blackout hammer — making them drive 75 miles outside the market or searching for a pirated TV or Internet signal to catch the game?

The New York Times - Sports

"We could have made them drive more than we did," said the skipper.

BBC

This way you won't get a driver angrily cancelling on you for making them drive a long trip.

TechCrunch

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "make them drive" in sports contexts, it often suggests a strategy of forcing opponents to advance the ball slowly, increasing the chances of mistakes. For example, "We wanted to "make them drive" the length of the field."

Common error

Avoid using "make them drive" when you actually mean "motivate them" or "inspire them". Driving is a literal action with a vehicle; ensure the context aligns with actual vehicle operation, not abstract motivation.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "make them drive" functions as a causative construction, where "make" is the causative verb, "them" is the object, and "drive" is the bare infinitive. Ludwig confirms its grammatical correctness, indicating its role in expressing the act of causing someone to operate a vehicle or take specific actions while driving.

Expression frequency: Uncommon

Frequent in

News & Media

50%

Wiki

30%

Science

10%

Less common in

Formal & Business

5%

Encyclopedias

3%

Reference

2%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "make them drive" is a grammatically correct causative construction used to express the act of compelling someone to operate a vehicle. Ludwig AI confirms its validity and provides various examples across different contexts. While not overly common, the phrase is versatile and understandable, fitting various scenarios such as instructions, strategic maneuvers, and discussions about driving behaviors. Alternatives like "force them to drive" or "have them drive" can be used to provide nuanced variations in meaning. While the phrase has a neutral register, it’s essential to ensure that the context aligns with the literal act of driving rather than abstract motivation.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

force them to drive

Direct synonym, emphasizing the element of compulsion.

compel them to drive

Formal synonym for 'force', implying authority or strong persuasion.

have them drive

Indicates arrangement or instruction rather than force.

get them to drive

Suggests a more persuasive approach to encourage driving.

induce them to drive

Implies persuasion or influence to cause driving.

oblige them to drive

Similar to 'compel', but may imply a sense of duty or obligation.

require them to drive

Suggests a formal rule or condition necessitating driving.

persuade them to drive

Focuses on the act of convincing someone to drive.

manipulate them into driving

Implies a subtle or underhanded approach to get someone to drive.

coerce them into driving

Suggests using threats or intimidation to force someone to drive.

FAQs

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

You can use "make them drive" to indicate forcing or persuading someone to operate a vehicle, as in "To avoid traffic, we should "make them drive" the back roads".

What can I say instead of "make them drive"?

Alternatives include "force them to drive", "have them drive", or "get them to drive", depending on the specific nuance you want to convey.

Is "make them to drive" grammatically correct?

No, the correct form is "make them drive". The infinitive "to drive" is not used after "make" in this construction. The bare infinitive (drive) is the appropriate form.

What is the difference between "make them drive" and "let them drive"?

"Make them drive" implies compulsion or persuasion, while "let them drive" suggests permission or allowance. "Make" indicates causing someone to do something, whereas "let" indicates allowing them to do it.