makes us

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "makes us" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to indicate that something causes a group of people to feel or act in a certain way. Example: "The inspiring speech makes us believe in our potential to achieve great things."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

59 human-written examples

"That makes us unusual".

The New Yorker

That makes us nonconformist".

The New York Times

"That makes us happy.

The New York Times

It makes us sneeze.

The New Yorker

It makes us boastful.

The New Yorker

It makes us laugh!

Independent

What makes us European?

Independent

What makes us backwards?

The New York Times

Privacy also makes us productive.

The New York Times

But death makes us stingy.

The New Yorker

So that makes us worried".

The New York Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "makes us" to clearly indicate a cause-and-effect relationship, ensuring the subject causing the effect is clearly defined. For example, "Teamwork makes us stronger" clearly identifies teamwork as the cause of increased strength.

Common error

Avoid using "makes us" in situations where the cause is unclear or implied. Instead of saying "This makes us," specify what 'this' refers to: "This decision makes us more vulnerable."

Linguistic Context

The phrase "makes us" functions as a causative verb phrase. It indicates that something or someone is causing a particular state or feeling in a group. Ludwig AI confirms its common usage across diverse contexts.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

85%

Science

5%

Formal & Business

3%

Less common in

Wiki

3%

Encyclopedias

2%

Reference

2%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "makes us" is a versatile and grammatically sound phrase used to express causation, indicating that something leads to a particular state or feeling in a group. Ludwig AI affirms its correctness and prevalence in various contexts, especially in news and media. While highly functional across different communication levels, clarity in causation is key to prevent ambiguity. Consider using alternatives such as "causes us to be" or "leads us to" for nuanced expression.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

causes us to be

This alternative emphasizes the cause-and-effect relationship more directly.

leads us to

This suggests a directional influence, guiding toward a particular outcome.

results in us being

This focuses on the final state or condition that arises.

has us feeling

This highlights the emotional impact or sensation experienced.

renders us

This implies a transformative effect, changing our state or condition.

turns us into

Suggests a complete transformation or change of character.

prompts us to

This highlights the act of initiating an action or thought.

induces us to

This implies a more persuasive or compelling influence.

creates in us

Focuses on the internal generation of a feeling or quality.

establishes us as

This emphasizes recognition of a group of people within a certain situation.

FAQs

How can I use "makes us" in a sentence?

The phrase "makes us" is used to indicate that something causes a particular feeling, state, or action in a group of people. For example, "The team's success "makes us proud"" shows that the team's achievement is the reason for their pride.

What are some alternatives to saying "makes us"?

Depending on the specific context, you can use alternatives like "causes us to be", "leads us to", or "results in us being". These alternatives provide slightly different nuances while conveying a similar meaning.

Is it ever incorrect to use "makes us"?

While generally correct, "makes us" can be unclear if the cause is ambiguous. Ensure that the subject causing the action or feeling is clearly defined. For example, instead of "The situation makes us," specify "The difficult situation "makes us anxious"".

What is the difference between "makes us" and "helps us"?

"Makes us" implies a direct cause-and-effect relationship, whereas "helps us" suggests assistance or contribution. "Studying makes us smarter" indicates studying directly causes increased intelligence. "Studying "helps us understand the topic"" indicates that it facilitates understanding.