make them swing

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "make them swing" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used in contexts where you are instructing someone to cause something or someone to move in a swinging motion, often in a playful or rhythmic manner. Example: "The music was so infectious that it made them swing to the beat without even realizing it."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Wiki

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

4 human-written examples

"Make them swing the bat.

The New York Times - Sports

"I also make them swing from the end of a long rope," he told a reporter.

The New Yorker

"If you throw quality pitches in the strike zone early on, you're going to make them swing the bats.

Los Angeles Times

To make scales more fun, try and make them swing, playing them at different tempos, once you've got the basics down.

WikiHow

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

53 human-written examples

And it makes them swing with ska horns, shimmering guitars and more than a hint of Tex-Mex music.

The New York Times

Collins rattled through Marcum's assets: "Great change of speeds, throws strikes, doesn't beat himself, makes them swing the bat".

The New York Times - Sports

(He likes two- and four-beat rhythms a lot, and makes them swing, in an early-60s rock 'n' roll kind of way).

The New York Times

"If he's throwing the ball over the plate, he's making them swing the bat, I'll be happy," Maddon said.

The New York Times - Sports

This is partly because technology has made financial markets more efficient, which makes them swing more quickly as the economic outlook changes.But not all of the volatility in the markets is a response to real changes in fortune.

The Economist

Interacting with the gloomy monochrome world of Escape Plan is a real pleasure, allowing you to tap on in-game items like light bulbs and signs, making them swing or collapse.

The Guardian - Tech

"It does make them look extreme," swing-district Rep. Rod Blum (R-Iowa) told HuffPost last week.

Huffington Post

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When coaching baseball, use "make them swing" to encourage aggressive batting, emphasizing quick reactions to pitches.

Common error

Avoid using "make them swing" in contexts where a literal swinging motion is impossible. Ensure the subject is capable of the action.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "make them swing" functions as a causative construction, where "make" is the causative verb, "them" is the object, and "swing" is the base form of the verb indicating the action caused. Ludwig AI confirms this usage through its analyzed examples.

Expression frequency: Uncommon

Frequent in

News & Media

60%

Wiki

30%

Science

10%

Less common in

Formal & Business

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "make them swing" is a grammatically correct and usable English phrase, often found in news, sports, and instructional contexts. As Ludwig AI indicates, it typically implies causing someone or something to move in a swinging motion, literally or figuratively. While its frequency is uncommon, understanding its proper usage and potential for misinterpretation is crucial. Be mindful of the context to ensure clarity and appropriateness, considering alternatives like "cause them to sway" or "get them moving" when necessary.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

cause them to sway

This alternative replaces "swing" with "sway", emphasizing a gentler, less forceful movement.

get them moving

This phrase broadens the action to any kind of movement, not specifically swinging.

induce them to oscillate

Using "oscillate" introduces a more technical term for rhythmic movement.

compel them to rock

This alternative implies a stronger force or obligation to move in a rocking manner.

lead them to undulate

This emphasizes a wave-like motion, rather than a back-and-forth swing.

encourage them to dangle

This focuses on a hanging movement, losing the rhythmic aspect of swinging.

prompt them to vibrate

This alternative describes rapid, small movements, unlike the larger arc of a swing.

motivate them to stir

This refers to a gentle, often circular movement, quite different from a swing.

force them to fluctuate

This describes irregular variations, rather than a controlled swinging motion.

oblige them to waver

This suggests an unsteady, side-to-side movement, lacking the defined path of a swing.

FAQs

How can I use "make them swing" in a baseball context?

In baseball, "make them swing" typically means to induce the opposing team's batters to swing at pitches, often by throwing strikes or using deceptive pitches. For example, a coach might say, "The key to winning this game is to "throw strikes" and make them swing early in the count."

What does it mean to "make them swing" in a metaphorical sense?

Metaphorically, "make them swing" can mean to influence someone's decisions or actions, leading them to behave in a certain way. A similar phrase could be "sway their opinion" or influence their choice, but the context should be more specific.

What's a situation where "make them swing" wouldn't be appropriate?

It wouldn't be appropriate to use "make them swing" when referring to inanimate objects or situations where physical movement is not possible or relevant. For example, saying "make them swing with happiness" might sound awkward; "fill them with happiness" or "bring them joy" would be better options.

Are there more formal alternatives to "make them swing"?

While "make them swing" is generally informal, you could use phrases like "induce them to act" or "encourage their participation" in more formal settings, depending on the specific nuance you want to convey.