make us smile

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "make us smile" is correct and usable in written English.
You can use it when referring to something that brings joy or happiness to a group of people. Example: "The comedian's jokes always make us smile, no matter how tough our day has been."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

56 human-written examples

In order to get some more traffic and to make us smile, feel free to use those annoying little buttons you see to [social content application name used as a verb here] us to your heart's content.

TechCrunch

You continue to teach us and to make us smile.

The New York Times

The memory of you will always make us smile.

The New York Times

Marvin's humor and fun loving nature will make us smile through eternity.

The New York Times

Schoenberg and his school do not make us smile, but then, they rarely try.

The New York Times

That might make us smile, but it doesn't elicit our sympathy.

The Guardian

Her brother Thomas Nicholl, 21, added: "She always knew how to make us smile, especially after winding us up.

The Guardian

"A special son, brother, grandson and friend - he never failed to make us smile (most of the time).

Independent

Over the years Tevez has done plenty to make us smile – like this, this and indeed this.

The Guardian - Sport

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

2 human-written examples

We talked about how my aunt used to dye her hair a bright orange with henna, something that made us smile when we came to live in England as teenagers, where only punks dyed their hair that color.

The New York Times - Magazine

He makes us smile.

The New York Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When writing about the impact of something positive, use "make us smile" to convey a sense of shared enjoyment or pleasure.

Common error

While versatile, "make us smile" might be too informal for highly professional or academic writing. Consider alternatives like "bring us joy" or "elicit a positive response" in such cases.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "make us smile" functions as a causative verb phrase. It describes an action that causes a specific emotional response (smiling) in a group of people. As Ludwig AI confirms, this expression is grammatically correct and widely accepted in English.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

98%

Formal & Business

1%

Science

1%

Less common in

Academia

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Wiki

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "make us smile" is a common and grammatically correct expression used to describe something that elicits happiness or amusement. As confirmed by Ludwig AI, it is widely accepted and versatile, suitable for various contexts, particularly in news and media. While it's a neutral phrase, more formal settings may benefit from alternatives like "bring us joy" or "elicit a positive response". The phrase's primary function is to express or evoke happiness, and its frequent usage highlights its effectiveness in conveying shared positive emotions.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

put a smile on our faces

Directly indicates the action of causing a smile.

make us happy

Broader term indicating a general sense of well-being.

bring joy to us

Focuses on the feeling of joy rather than the physical expression of a smile.

elicit a smile from us

Emphasizes the act of causing a smile as a reaction.

cheer us up

Suggests a lifting of spirits, often from a state of sadness.

delight us

Emphasizes a high level of pleasure and satisfaction.

amuse us

Highlights the entertainment aspect of making someone smile.

warm our hearts

Suggests a feeling of affection and contentment.

gladden our hearts

Implies a deeper, more profound feeling of happiness.

tickle our funny bone

Specifically refers to humor and laughter.

FAQs

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

You can use "make us smile" to describe something that brings joy or happiness. For example, "The comedian's jokes always make us smile." or "The puppy's antics make us smile every time we see them."

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

You can use alternatives like "bring joy to us", "elicit a smile from us", or "put a smile on our faces" depending on the context.

Is "make us smile" appropriate for formal writing?

While "make us smile" is widely understood and accepted, it may be considered too informal for some formal contexts. In such cases, consider using alternatives like "bring us joy" or "elicit a positive response".

What's the difference between "make us smile" and "make us happy"?

"Make us smile" specifically refers to eliciting a smile, which is a physical expression of happiness or amusement. "Make us happy" is a broader term that indicates a general sense of well-being or contentment. While they are similar, "make us smile" is more focused on the immediate reaction of smiling.