make us proud

USAGE SUMMARY

"make us proud" is correct and usable in written English.
It is typically used as an expression of encouragement or hope for someone to do something to make the speaker or a group of people proud, such as accomplish a goal or achieve a certain standard. Example: "I know you have worked hard to prepare for this presentation; make us proud!".

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Wiki

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

59 human-written examples

What used to make us proud was the memory of our martyrs you have turned into bridges for yourselves.

The Guardian - Books

It's "zero hour for our economy," says one of Lenny's friends, "zero hour for our military might, zero hour for everything that used to make us proud to be ourselves".

The New York Times - Books

Just as we must make decisions to act in ways that align with our values, we must use our physical bodies in ways that make us proud to inhabit them.

WikiHow

"Make us proud".

The New York Times - Sports

"Make us proud as a senator".

The New York Times

That unity should make us proud.

The Guardian

I'm gonna make us proud to prosecute".

The Guardian - TV & Radio

We're not waiting for Ronan to make us proud.

The New York Times

But enough people do to make us proud.

The Guardian

We expect South Africa will make us proud".

The Guardian - Sport

"Muntader make us proud of ourselves as Iraqis," she said.

The New York Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "make us proud" when you want to express encouragement or expectation that someone will achieve a goal or represent you well.

Common error

Avoid using "make us proud" in contexts where the action or achievement is morally questionable or unethical, as pride should be associated with positive and commendable actions.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "make us proud" functions primarily as an imperative, used to express encouragement, hope, or expectation for someone to achieve something commendable. Ludwig AI confirms this usage across a wide range of examples.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

69%

Wiki

5%

Formal & Business

3%

Less common in

Science

1%

Encyclopedias

0%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "make us proud" is a common and grammatically correct expression used to encourage someone to achieve a goal or represent a group well. As confirmed by Ludwig, it functions as an imperative, conveying hope and expectation. While the phrase is most frequently found in News & Media, its neutral register allows for broad applicability. Related phrases, such as "do us proud", offer slight variations in formality or emphasis. When using the phrase, ensure the context aligns with the positive sentiment it conveys.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

do us proud

Slightly more informal variation using "do" instead of "make".

make us feel proud

Adds emphasis on the feeling of pride.

bring us honor

Emphasizes the honor aspect of the achievement.

give us reason to be proud

More verbose alternative, highlighting the reason for pride.

make us look good

Focuses on the positive reflection on the speaker.

meet our expectations

Shifts focus to fulfilling anticipated standards.

live up to our expectations

Similar to 'meet our expectations', but implies sustained performance.

fulfill our hopes

Emphasizes the fulfillment of aspirations.

don't let us down

Expresses a negative expectation to avoid disappointing the speaker.

be a credit to us

Highlights the positive reputation brought to the speaker.

FAQs

How can I use "make us proud" in a sentence?

You can use "make us proud" to express encouragement or expectation that someone will achieve something commendable. For example, "We know you've been working hard; "make us proud" at the competition."

What's a more informal way to say "make us proud"?

A more informal alternative to "make us proud" is "do us proud". This maintains a similar meaning while sounding slightly less formal.

Which is correct, "make us proud" or "makes us proud"?

"Make us proud" is an imperative phrase, used to encourage or instruct someone. "Makes us proud" is a statement about something that consistently evokes pride. The correct choice depends on the intended meaning.

What does it mean to "bring us honor" instead of "make us proud"?

While both phrases express positive sentiment, "bring us honor" emphasizes the respect and esteem gained through someone's actions, whereas "make us proud" focuses more on the feeling of satisfaction and accomplishment.