makes you think if

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "makes you think if" is not correct in standard written English.
It is typically used when prompting someone to consider a possibility or question, but the correct form would be "makes you think about" or "makes you wonder if." Example: "The documentary makes you think about the impact of climate change on future generations."

⚠ May contain grammatical issues

News & Media

Science

Wiki

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

9 human-written examples

"To watch him, it really makes you think: if Novak is No. 1, I can be in the top 10".

The New York Times - Sports

The First Time is declamatory and bolshy and makes you think, if nothing else, the members of All the Young would be tasty in a fight.

The Guardian - Music

As it happens, he has now aroused all our curiosity and it makes you think if he has had to admit this tonight what other shareholdings may he have had and I think he needs to clean that up tomorrow".

The Guardian

She imitated her grandmother, her mothers, her aunt: "What makes you think if he got one girl pregnant, he's not going to get you pregnant?" She answered herself, "Who says I'm going to spread my legs?" … Serena worked herself up into a frenzy: "They are so worried about me having sex.

The New Yorker

"It makes you think, 'If I can do it against these guys, why shouldn't I be able to do a great job in college?' " Williams's teammate, Carlos Boozer, a 6-foot-9-inch, 260-pound rebounding force, has seen enough in practices to be convinced.

The New York Times - Sports

Recommended by Professor Tim Brighouse Written by a former table tennis world champion, this book makes you think: "If I can find out what a kid is really enthusiastic about, and put in the right support, they can become really, really good".

The Guardian

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

51 human-written examples

It made you think, if all these nations can come together for sport, then please.

The Guardian - Sport

It was Good Morning Britain with a glass of bubbly, and it made you think: if politics is showbusiness for ugly people, perhaps showbusiness is politics for unthinking people.

Independent

There have also been patients that make you think, "If I don't act now, they could be gone within days". Physician 6 (university hospital) All physicians and nurses sometimes had these ambivalent feelings but most often in situations where patients wanted to continue fighting and would accept any kind of treatment as a last straw to prolong life.

British Medical Journal

"It makes you think, 'What if that happened to me?

The New York Times - Books

"It makes you think that if there is more international migration, that could smooth things out," Bloom said.

The New Yorker

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When aiming for clarity and grammatical correctness, replace "makes you think if" with phrases like "makes you wonder whether" or "prompts you to consider whether". This ensures your writing is both precise and easily understood.

Common error

Avoid using "makes you think if" in formal writing. This phrase is grammatically awkward and can be unclear. Opt for more precise and grammatically correct alternatives to ensure your message is effectively conveyed.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "makes you think if" functions as a causal connector, attempting to link a cause or observation with a potential consequence or question. However, according to Ludwig AI, it's grammatically incorrect, thus weakening its connective function.

Expression frequency: Uncommon

Frequent in

News & Media

62%

Wiki

23%

Science

15%

Less common in

Formal & Business

0%

Academia

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "makes you think if" is used to prompt reflection or raise a question, but Ludwig AI identifies it as grammatically incorrect. While it appears in various online sources, including news and media, its usage is not recommended in formal writing. It's better to use alternatives such as "makes you wonder whether" or "prompts you to consider if" to ensure clarity and grammatical accuracy. Despite its existence in some contexts, adhering to correct grammar is essential for effective communication.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

makes you wonder whether

This alternative replaces "think if" with "wonder whether", providing a more grammatically sound way to introduce a question or doubt.

makes you think about whether

This alternative replaces "think if" with "think about whether", which improves the grammatical correctness and makes the sentence clearer.

prompts you to consider if

This alternative substitutes "makes you think" with "prompts you to consider", offering a more formal and precise expression.

causes you to contemplate whether

This alternative uses "causes you to contemplate" instead of "makes you think", resulting in a more sophisticated and reflective tone.

leads you to believe that

This alternative shifts the focus to belief rather than thought, implying a degree of acceptance or persuasion.

gives you the impression that

This alternative focuses on the impression received, suggesting a sensory or emotional experience influencing thought.

instills the idea that

This alternative suggests the planting of an idea in someone's mind, implying influence or manipulation.

suggests the possibility that

This alternative introduces a sense of possibility or likelihood, rather than direct thought.

raises the question of whether

This alternative explicitly frames the statement as a question, prompting inquiry and discussion.

invites reflection on whether

This alternative encourages deeper reflection, implying a more thoughtful and introspective consideration.

FAQs

What's a better way to phrase "makes you think if"?

Instead of "makes you think if", use more grammatically correct options like "makes you wonder whether", "prompts you to consider if", or "causes you to contemplate whether" for improved clarity.

Is "makes you think if" grammatically correct?

No, "makes you think if" is not considered grammatically correct in standard English. It's better to use phrases like "makes you wonder whether" or "prompts you to consider if".

How can I use "makes you wonder whether" in a sentence?

You can use "makes you wonder whether" to introduce a question or doubt. For example: "The movie makes you wonder whether the characters will succeed".

What's the difference between "makes you think if" and "makes you think about"?

"Makes you think if" is grammatically incorrect. The correct phrase is "makes you think about", which is used to prompt reflection on a specific topic or idea.