make us think

USAGE SUMMARY

"make us think" is correct and usable in written English.
You can use it whenever you want to encourage someone to think harder, or to reflect on something more deeply. For example: "The professor's critical analysis of the text really made us think about the deeper meaning of the author's words."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Encyclopedias

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

This should make us think, and use strict stringent scientific methods to plan and evaluate new technologies.

F1000Research

They are thinking cats, who make us think more about ourselves.

The New Yorker

The data hodograph is too far away from a simple circular shape to make us think it meaningful to calculate f R (x) using the hodograph method.

Earth, Planets and Space

They would make us think for ourselves.

The New York Times

Malcolm's judgments make us think and feel.

The Guardian - Books

She wanted to make us think for ourselves.

The New York Times - Sports

Antiretrovirals may make us think it has all gone away.

The Guardian - Opinion

It was meant to make us think twice.

The Guardian - Opinion

Has art done much to make us think differently?

The Guardian

Walking meetings are preferred because they make us think better.

The Guardian - Opinion

How did men make us think we weren't good at this? It's dolls and feelings.

The New Yorker

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "make us think" when you want to convey the idea of prompting someone to engage in active thought or reflection on a particular subject. It's effective for suggesting that something challenges existing perspectives or encourages deeper analysis.

Common error

Avoid using "make us think" when a more active and direct verb would strengthen your writing. For example, instead of "The article made us think," consider "The article challenged our assumptions" for a more impactful statement.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "make us think" functions primarily as a causative expression, indicating that something or someone causes a group of people to engage in cognitive activity. Ludwig AI confirms that is a correct and usable phrase.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

78%

Science

12%

Encyclopedias

3%

Less common in

Formal & Business

2%

Wiki

2%

Social Media

1%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "make us think" is a versatile and common phrase used to indicate that something prompts reflection or deeper consideration. Ludwig AI confirms that this phrase is correct and widely used in English writing. Its neutral to informal register makes it suitable for various contexts, particularly news and media. While generally acceptable, more formal situations may benefit from alternatives such as "encourage critical analysis". The phrase serves to stimulate cognitive activity and challenge existing perspectives, as evidenced by its frequent appearance in reputable sources such as The New York Times and The Guardian.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

encourage us to consider

This alternative suggests a more gentle prompting towards consideration, differing from the directness of "make us think".

cause us to reflect

This emphasizes introspection, whereas "make us think" can refer to a broader range of cognitive processes.

prompt us to contemplate

This suggests a more prolonged and thoughtful consideration, implying deeper engagement than simply "think".

inspire our reflection

This option highlights the inspirational aspect of thinking, implying a positive stimulus.

challenge our assumptions

This focuses on questioning existing beliefs, adding a confrontational element absent in "make us think".

stimulate our minds

This alternative focuses on mental activation rather than a specific direction of thought.

force us to ponder

This suggests a more compelling or unavoidable need to think, differing from the more neutral "make us think".

give us food for thought

This is an idiomatic expression implying something that provides material for contemplation, offering a more metaphorical approach.

invite our consideration

This suggests a polite request for thought, contrasting with the more directive nature of "make us think".

arouse our curiosity

This option focuses on instigating a desire to learn or know, subtly different from the act of thinking itself.

FAQs

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

You can use "make us think" to indicate that something prompts reflection or deeper consideration. For example, "The film's ambiguous ending was designed to make us think about the nature of reality."

What are some alternatives to "make us think"?

Alternatives include "encourage us to consider", "cause us to reflect", or "prompt us to contemplate", depending on the specific nuance you wish to convey.

Is "make us think" formal or informal?

"Make us think" is suitable for both formal and informal contexts, as it is a straightforward and commonly understood expression. However, in highly formal writing, you might opt for a more sophisticated alternative like "inspire our reflection".

What does it mean when something "makes you think"?

When something "makes you think", it means it causes you to consider something more deeply, question your assumptions, or reflect on a particular topic. It suggests a level of cognitive engagement beyond simple understanding.