make us sick

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "make us sick" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to express that something causes feelings of nausea or disgust, either physically or emotionally. Example: "The thought of animal cruelty can make us sick."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Academia

Formal & Business

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

59 human-written examples

Things that make us sick.

The New York Times

Bacteria make us sick.

The New Yorker

"Germs make us sick," he said.

The New Yorker

Do cities make us sick?

The Guardian

Most microbes do not make us sick.

The Guardian

Coral reefs are dying, shellfish will increasingly make us sick,….

The New Yorker

These are not the viruses that make us sick.

The New York Times

Whether they can make us sick is an open question.

The New York Times - Science

The water doesn't, on the whole, make us sick.

The Guardian - Lifestyle

But nobody has yet demonstrated that GMOs make us sick.

The Guardian - Opinion

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

1 human-written examples

Is the Recession Making Us Sick?

Stanford University

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

The phrase "make us sick" can be employed in a variety of situations, ranging from describing the effects of food poisoning to expressing a visceral reaction to injustice.

Common error

While acceptable, avoid using "make us sick" in highly formal writing. Opt for more precise or professional vocabulary like "cause illness" or "induce nausea" to maintain the appropriate tone.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "make us sick" functions as a causative expression, indicating that something or someone causes a state of illness or disgust in a group of people. Ludwig provides examples that span both physical and emotional contexts, illustrating its versatile application.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

85%

Academia

10%

Formal & Business

5%

Less common in

Science

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Wiki

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "make us sick" is a common and grammatically sound expression used to describe something causing illness or disgust. As Ludwig AI confirms, it's widely accepted and used across various contexts, particularly in news and media. While versatile, it's important to consider the specific nuance you wish to convey, opting for more precise or formal alternatives in certain settings. Understanding its connotations helps ensure clear and effective communication, especially when distinguishing between physical illness and emotional aversion.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

make us unwell

Replaces "sick" with a more general term for poor health.

cause us to fall ill

Focuses on the act of causing illness.

induce sickness in us

Formal way of expressing the causing of illness.

give us a disease

Highlights the transmission of a disease.

inflict illness upon us

Formal and emphasizes the act of imposing illness.

cause us nausea

Specifically refers to causing nausea.

contaminate us

Highlights the introduction of harmful elements that lead to sickness.

disgust us

Shifts the focus to causing disgust.

repulse us

Emphasizes a strong feeling of aversion.

affect our health negatively

Broadly describes a negative impact on health.

FAQs

What does "make us sick" mean?

The phrase "make us sick" means to cause illness, either physically or emotionally. It can describe something that induces nausea, disgust, or a general feeling of being unwell.

What can I say instead of "make us sick"?

You can use alternatives like "cause us to fall ill", "induce sickness in us", or "make us unwell" depending on the context.

Is "make us sick" too informal for academic writing?

While "make us sick" is understandable, it might be perceived as informal in academic writing. Consider using more precise and formal alternatives such as "induce illness" or "negatively affect our health".

How does "make us sick" differ from "disgust us"?

"Make us sick" generally implies causing illness or a feeling of being unwell, whereas "disgust us" refers specifically to causing a strong feeling of revulsion or aversion.