make them miss

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "make them miss" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used in contexts where you want to express the idea of causing someone to feel a sense of longing or absence for something or someone. Example: "The way she left without a word made them miss her even more."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Wiki

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

17 human-written examples

Or make them miss appointments.

The Economist

"If you can make them miss the first few shots," she said, "they become hesitant.

The New York Times - Sports

But some said the long lines would make them miss their scheduled departures.

The New York Times

Martin has embarrassed plenty of defenders in the past by using his lightning-quick cuts to make them miss.

The New York Times - Sports

At 6 feet 4 inches and 250 pounds, Keller is more than capable of bowling over defensive backs and smaller linebackers, but too often he juked and shook, trying to make them miss.

The New York Times - Sports

Meanwhile, in the South, authorities who were desperate to retain field hands jailed Northern labor agents, and sometimes arrested migrants en masse, if only to make them miss their trains.

The New Yorker

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

43 human-written examples

We tend to forget decisions after we make them, missing the opportunity make corrections and learn from what happens.

Forbes

For many Russians, Putin has already accomplished the impossible: he has made them miss Boris Yeltsin.

The New York Times - Books

Wal-Mart has faced more than 70 lawsuits across the country in which workers have accused it of making them miss required breaks or work off the clock.

The New York Times

When colleagues, friends or even your children say someone else's mistake made them miss a goal, do you accuse them of whining — even if you are the "someone else"?

The New York Times

On the other hand, both the Mahotella Queens, the South African vocal trio, and the Malian singing star Thione Seck were denied visas this year, making them miss major festival appearances across the United States.

The New York Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "make them miss" when you want to express that someone's actions or a situation is causing others to feel a sense of loss or longing. For example, "Her frequent travels make them miss her presence at home."

Common error

Avoid using "make them miss" when you mean "make them mistake" or "make them dismiss". "Miss" in this context refers to a feeling of longing or absence, not an error or dismissal.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "make them miss" functions as a causative verb phrase, indicating that someone or something causes others to experience a feeling of longing or absence. As Ludwig AI suggests, this phrase is grammatically correct and commonly used.

Expression frequency: Common

Frequent in

News & Media

50%

Wiki

28%

Science

11%

Less common in

Academia

6%

Formal & Business

5%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "make them miss" is a grammatically correct and common phrase used to describe causing someone to feel a sense of longing or absence. Ludwig AI confirms its validity, and its neutral register makes it appropriate for a variety of contexts, particularly in News & Media and Wiki. Alternatives like "cause them to long for" or "make them yearn for" offer similar meanings. Remember to use "make them miss" when intending to convey a feeling of longing, and avoid confusing it with similar-sounding words like "mistake" or "dismiss".

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

cause them to long for

This alternative uses "cause" instead of "make" and "long for" to convey a similar sentiment of missing something.

make them yearn for

This uses "yearn for" instead of "miss" suggesting a deeper, more intense longing.

create a sense of longing in them

This alternative focuses on the creation of a "sense of longing" offering a slightly more descriptive and formal tone.

evoke feelings of missing in them

This version emphasizes the "evoking" of feelings, suggesting a more subtle or indirect influence.

instill a feeling of absence in them

This phrase uses "instill" and "absence" to highlight the creation of a void or lack.

make them feel nostalgic for

This focuses on "nostalgia", specifically referencing a past time or place.

cause them to remember fondly

This implies a positive memory associated with the missing feeling.

leave them wanting

This alternative is more direct, suggesting a lack or unfulfilled desire.

give them a sense of loss

This highlights the negative emotion of "loss" associated with missing someone or something.

make them appreciate what they had

This shifts the focus to appreciating something after it's gone, implying a prior lack of appreciation.

FAQs

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

You can use "make them miss" to describe situations or actions that cause a feeling of longing or absence in others. For example, "The scarcity of genuine connection can "make them miss" authentic relationships."

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

You can use alternatives like "cause them to long for", "make them yearn for", or "evoke feelings of missing in them" depending on the context.

Is it correct to say "made them miss" or should I use another tense?

The tense depends on the context. "Made them miss" is the past tense, appropriate for describing something that already happened. "Make them miss" is the present tense, used for ongoing or habitual actions, or for general statements.

What's the difference between "make them miss" and "make them want"?

"Make them miss" implies a feeling of longing for something that is absent, while "make them want" suggests creating a desire for something they don't currently possess. The first focuses on absence and the second on desire.