make them work

USAGE SUMMARY

"make them work" is correct and usable in written English.
This phrase can be used when someone is encouraging or instructing someone to work or complete a task. For example, "Let's make them work hard to get the job done."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Formal & Business

Science

Wiki

Academia

Encyclopedias

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

They make them work out.

The Washington Post

2: make them work hard and produce.

The New York Times - Sports

"We didn't make them work hard enough.

The Guardian - Sport

But at least make them work.

The New York Times - Sports

It takes creativity to make them work.

MIT Technology Review

We really didn't know how to make them work reliably.

The New Yorker

We have to make them work for it".

The New York Times - Sports

This was an act to clean up pension funds, and make them work well, make them work better.

Yale University

Is there any way to make them work together?

The New York Times - Tech

Fingerprint them -- and make them work for their checks.

The New York Times

Or at least Granderson tries to make them work.

The New York Times - Sports

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "make them work", clearly define the 'them' to avoid ambiguity. For example, specify 'make the new software work' or 'make the interns work'.

Common error

Avoid using "make them work" in overly passive or indirect constructions that obscure agency. Instead of saying 'It was decided to make them work', opt for 'The manager made them work'.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "make them work" primarily functions as a causative construction, indicating that someone or something is causing others to perform labor or achieve a functional state. Ludwig AI confirms its correct usage.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

54%

Formal & Business

15%

Science

12%

Less common in

Wiki

10%

Academia

5%

Encyclopedias

4%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "make them work" is a grammatically sound and commonly used expression across various contexts. Ludwig AI validates its correctness and versatility. It serves primarily as a causative construction, emphasizing the act of compelling effort or ensuring functionality. The phrase is frequently found in news and media, formal business settings, and scientific discussions, with a neutral to professional register. To ensure clarity, it's essential to clearly define the 'them'. Consider alternatives like "compel their labor" or "ensure their effort" to refine the tone and emphasis. Avoid overly passive constructions to maintain directness in your writing.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

compel their labor

This alternative uses a more formal tone and focuses on the act of compelling someone to exert effort.

oblige them to labor

Similar to 'compel', this suggests a sense of duty or obligation in making someone work.

ensure their effort

This alternative emphasizes ensuring that effort is applied, highlighting a sense of responsibility or oversight.

force their exertion

This phrase suggests a stronger, potentially less willing, push for effort.

push them to action

This alternative emphasizes encouraging activity or task completion.

drive their performance

This alternative implies an active attempt to improve or push their performance.

coerce their contribution

This alternative highlights the act of persuading or forcing someone to contribute effort or work.

get them functioning

This alternative focuses on ensuring something or someone is in a working state.

render them operational

This alternative offers a formal way to express bringing something or someone into a working state.

cause them to function

This alternative is a more descriptive and literal way of saying "make them work", focusing on the causation of function.

FAQs

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

You can use "make them work" to suggest compelling effort, ensuring functionality, or pushing towards a specific action. For example, "The manager will make them work harder" or "We need to make the system work efficiently".

What are some alternatives to "make them work"?

Alternatives include "compel their labor", "ensure their effort", or "get them functioning" depending on the context.

Is it grammatically correct to say "make them work"?

Yes, "make them work" is grammatically correct and commonly used in English. It follows a standard verb-object-infinitive structure.

What's the difference between "make them work" and "force them to work"?

"Make them work" can imply encouragement or ensuring functionality, while "force them to work" suggests a stronger, potentially unwilling, imposition. The latter is often perceived as more negative.