making us out

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "making us out" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used when referring to someone interpreting or portraying a person or group in a certain way, often implying a misunderstanding or misrepresentation. Example: "He keeps making us out to be the villains in this situation, but that's not the whole story."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

4 human-written examples

Last year at this time, everybody was making us out to be unbeatable, and we got mopped up in the finals".

The New York Times - Sports

Why are they making us out to be such a threat?" said Huseyin Babir, 25, who works at Safir jewellers, and whose family moved from central Turkey to Palmers Green, north London, when he was aged one.

The Guardian

"She was making us out to be monsters putting our children at grave risk and even comparing us to child molesters and singling out motocross when there are others sports like football and skiing that are just as dangerous, maybe even more dangerous," said Randy Simpson, the president of the Milford club whose 14-year-old son rides at the track.

The New York Times

They're making us out to be the most evil people in the world, but folks who live in urban and suburban areas use wood products, including the people who want to tar and feather us, except they want it to be harvested in British Columbia.

The New York Times

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

55 human-written examples

Maybe one day we will not be the enemies you make us out to be.

The New Yorker

"They knew we were good but we made us out to be even better".

The Guardian - Sport

Because it makes us out to be heroes, and we are not heroes".

The Guardian - Music

"Don't make us out to be geniuses," Kevin O'Connor, the Jazz vice president for basketball operations, said wryly.

The New York Times

"The extremists believe us to be infidels, they make us out to be the slaves of Israel," he said.

The New York Times

"People in the marketplace try to make us out to be more enemies than we are," Mr. Vaynerchuk said.

The New York Times

"Texas isn't nearly as backward and third world as the Gore campaign would make us out," protested Michael Levy, the publisher of Texas Monthly magazine.

The New York Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "making us out" when you want to emphasize how others are interpreting or presenting a group, often with a negative connotation of misrepresentation or misunderstanding.

Common error

While acceptable, consider more precise verbs like "portraying", "depicting", or "representing" in formal contexts to enhance clarity and avoid potential ambiguity.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "making us out" functions as a verb phrase, typically used within a clause to describe how an external entity is portraying or representing a group. According to Ludwig, it is correct and usable in written English.

Expression frequency: Uncommon

Frequent in

News & Media

75%

Wiki

12%

Huffington Post

13%

Less common in

Science

0%

Formal & Business

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "making us out" describes the act of portraying or representing a group in a particular way, often with an underlying implication of misrepresentation. Ludwig AI confirms its correctness and usability in written English. While versatile, it is most frequently found in news and media contexts. For formal writing, consider alternatives like "portraying us" or "depicting us". Remember that the primary goal is to emphasize how others perceive or present a subject, especially when there is a perceived distortion.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

portraying us

Focuses on the act of depicting or representing, often in a visual or artistic context. Slightly more formal.

depicting us

Similar to portraying, but can also imply a more detailed or accurate representation.

presenting us as

Highlights the act of offering or showing someone in a specific light.

characterizing us as

Emphasizes the attribution of specific qualities or traits.

representing us as

Focuses on acting as an agent or advocate, with a specific portrayal in mind.

interpreting us as

Highlights a subjective understanding or explanation.

framing us as

Suggests a deliberate construction of a particular image or narrative.

casting us as

Implies a role or part assigned, often in a theatrical or metaphorical sense.

viewing us as

Focuses on a particular perspective or opinion.

seeing us as

Similar to viewing, but may suggest a more intuitive or observational understanding.

FAQs

What does "making us out" mean?

It means to portray or represent someone or a group of people in a particular way, often implying a misinterpretation or inaccurate depiction.

How can I use "making us out" in a sentence?

You can say, "They are "making us out" to be villains when we are actually trying to help."

What are some alternatives to "making us out"?

Consider using "portraying us", "depicting us", or "presenting us as" depending on the nuance you want to convey.

Is "making us out" formal or informal?

It is generally considered acceptable in both formal and informal contexts, but more precise verbs may be preferred in highly formal writing to enhance clarity. However, alternatives should be carefully selected to preserve the tone. For instance, "characterizing us as" or "interpreting us as" might make sense in some contexts.