make them realize

USAGE SUMMARY

'make them realize' is a correct phrase in written English.
You can use it when you want to emphasize the importance of something and try to emphasize to someone that they need to understand it. For example, "I want to make them realize that this is a serious problem."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Academia

Science

Wiki

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

"Those are the projects they really love that make them realize science is fun".

The New York Times - Science

Outings like that make them realize how lucky they are to live as they do.

The New York Times

"It's time for us to get together and make them realize," he said.

The New York Times

"Our goal is to make them realize the propaganda they've heard their whole lives is just that," he said.

The New York Times

It would make them realize that we're meant to be active fathers and participate in the care of our offspring".

The New York Times - Health

They need a little harsh treatment to make them realize what a fine hotel they are living in".

The New York Times

Educate them early and make them realize that their teeth will have to last them a lifetime.

Harvard University

"I tried to make them realize how marvelous they really are, to put them at their ease".

The New York Times - Arts

Rather, the program is to make them realize that this is one of the options available for them.

The Guardian - Money

Saleh continued, "We want to send a message to every party to make them realize that Islamists are not seeking to dominate power.

The New Yorker

She also has covered a garbage truck with mirrors, so people can see their reflections to make them realize they, too, are part of the refuse problem.

The New York Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "make them realize", ensure the context clearly defines what you want them to understand, enhancing the phrase's impact.

Common error

While "make them realize" is acceptable, consider alternatives like "help them see" or "show them" in casual conversations to avoid sounding overly assertive.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "make them realize" functions as a causative construction, where "make" is the causative verb that causes the action of "realize". It aims to influence someone to gain awareness or understanding, in alignment with Ludwig's analysis.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

49%

Wiki

22%

Science

12%

Less common in

Academia

7%

Formal & Business

5%

Reference

5%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "make them realize" is a commonly used phrase that serves to highlight the importance of understanding, aiming to influence an audience towards gaining awareness or comprehension. As Ludwig AI has shown, its usage spans across diverse contexts, including news, academic research, and everyday conversations. While grammatically sound and versatile, being mindful of the context and considering alternatives can enhance clarity and appropriateness. The key is to ensure the clarity of what you want them to understand.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

get them to understand

Focuses on achieving comprehension in the other party.

cause them to see

Focuses on creating a new perspective or understanding.

get through to them

Implies overcoming a barrier to achieve understanding.

convince them of

Highlights persuading someone to believe something.

get across to them

Implies successfully communicating a message.

open their eyes to

This idiom suggests revealing something previously unknown or ignored.

impress upon them

Highlights the act of instilling something in someone's mind.

bring it home to them

This alternative suggests emphasizing or clarifying something to ensure understanding.

get it into their heads

Suggests persistent effort to ensure understanding.

drive home the point

This idiom suggests emphasizing a message to ensure it is understood.

FAQs

How can I use "make them realize" effectively in a sentence?

Use "make them realize" when you want to emphasize the importance of someone understanding a particular fact or situation. For example, "We need to make them realize the severity of the consequences".

What phrases can I use instead of "make them realize"?

You can use alternatives like "get them to understand", "open their eyes to", or "convince them of" depending on the nuance you want to convey.

Is it better to use "make them understand" or "make them realize"?

Both phrases are grammatically correct, but "make them realize" often implies a sudden awareness, while "make them understand" focuses on achieving comprehension through explanation or evidence. The choice depends on the specific context.

How does "make them realize" differ from "show them"?

"Make them realize" emphasizes achieving a deeper understanding or awareness, while "show them" is a more general term that can refer to providing evidence or demonstrating something without necessarily achieving complete comprehension. You can use "show them" when understanding is less important.