make you sad

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "make you sad" is correct and usable in written English.
You can use it when discussing something that has the potential to cause sadness or emotional distress. Example: "The news of the tragedy is sure to make you sad."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Wiki

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

This is because, put bluntly, depression doesn't make you sad all the time – though the level of sadness a patient experiences can of course vary depending on the individual and the severity of depression.

The Guardian - Opinion

It will make you sad.

Independent

"What things might make you sad?" he asked.

The New Yorker

"If you read their signs, they'll make you sad".

The New Yorker

Does it make you sad? No, I said, shaking my head.

The Guardian - Books

You can create things that are so beautiful out of things that make you sad.

The Guardian - Music

Explaining the anxiety spurred by this renaissance, he noted that, "American blues can make you sad.

The Guardian

"You are nice people, you visit us, we don't want to make you sad".

The Guardian - Opinion

Sometimes it just had to sort of look pretty and make you sad and thoughtful.

The New Yorker

Does that make you sad? Edith was a restless soul; there was constant movement in her life.

The New York Times

He may not leave you laughing uproariously; he may even make you sad, but he restores a critical dimension — humor — to an otherwise confusing and sometimes frightening world".

The New York Times - Tech

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When describing a situation that elicits empathy, use "make you sad" to directly connect with the reader's emotions. For example: "Stories of children in conflict zones will inevitably make you sad."

Common error

Avoid using "make you sad" in formal or academic writing where a more nuanced or precise term like "evoke sorrow" or "induce melancholy" might be more appropriate.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "make you sad" functions as a causative verb phrase, where "make" is the causative verb, "you" is the object, and "sad" is the adjective describing the state caused by the action. Ludwig's examples show its use in describing scenarios or events that elicit sadness.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

48%

Wiki

28%

Huffington Post

15%

Less common in

Vice

5%

Globalization and Health

1%

Unicef

1%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "make you sad" is a grammatically sound and frequently used expression to describe something that causes sadness. Ludwig AI confirms its correctness and common usage across various sources, particularly in News & Media and general online content. While versatile, it's best to consider the context and opt for more formal alternatives in academic or highly professional settings. Remember to use this phrase to create an emotional connection with your audience, but avoid overuse in formal writing to maintain clarity and precision.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

cause you sadness

Changes the verb to 'cause' and uses the noun 'sadness' for a slightly more formal tone.

bring you sorrow

Replaces 'sad' with 'sorrow', suggesting a deeper or more profound sadness.

leave you feeling down

Focuses on the resulting feeling of being 'down', indicating a less intense sadness.

depress you

Uses the verb 'depress', which implies a stronger and more prolonged feeling of sadness.

make you blue

Employs the idiom 'make you blue', offering a more figurative expression of sadness.

induce melancholy

Replaces 'sad' with 'melancholy', suggesting a more contemplative or wistful sadness.

create unhappiness for you

Expresses the idea of causing a state of unhappiness in a more descriptive way.

cause you to grieve

Uses the verb 'grieve', indicating a sadness related to loss or bereavement.

fill you with woe

Uses the noun 'woe' to convey a sense of deep sorrow or distress.

make you crestfallen

Replaces 'sad' with 'crestfallen', suggesting disappointment and dejection.

FAQs

How can I use "make you sad" in a sentence?

You can use "make you sad" to describe something that evokes feelings of sadness. For example: "Watching that movie always "make you sad"."

What are some alternatives to "make you sad"?

Alternatives include phrases like "cause you sadness", "bring you sorrow", or "leave you feeling down", depending on the context and desired level of formality.

Is it grammatically correct to say "make you sad"?

Yes, "make you sad" is grammatically correct. "Make" is a verb, "you" is the object, and "sad" is an adjective describing the state of the object.

What is the difference between "make you sad" and "make you feel sad"?

While both phrases are similar, "make you sad" is more direct, while "make you feel sad" emphasizes the emotional experience. The choice depends on the specific nuance you want to convey.