that made him

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "that made him" is correct and usable in written English.
You can use it to indicate a cause or reason for someone's feelings, actions, or characteristics. Example: "The unexpected success of his project was a turning point that made him more confident in his abilities."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

– that made him so charismatic.

Independent

He was dying; that made him cruel.

The New Yorker

To many Italians, that made him clean.

The New Yorker

"Radio is the media that made him".

The New York Times

All of that made him vulnerable.

The Guardian - Opinion

Punch was the magazine that made him.

The Guardian

Tells about book published in 1921 that made him famous.

The New Yorker

But then Khodorkovsky did two things that made him intolerable.

The New York Times

He suffered moods that made him seem irrational, even insane.

The New York Times

If anything, that made him only more obsessive.

The New York Times - Magazine

But then came the part that made him nervous.

The New York Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "that made him" to describe a person's transformation, ensure the context provides enough detail to explain the nature and extent of the change. This adds depth and credibility to your writing.

Common error

Avoid relying too heavily on "that made him" in simple sentences where a more direct verb might be more impactful. For example, instead of "The loss that made him sad", consider "The loss saddened him".

Linguistic Context

The phrase "that made him" functions as a causal connector, linking a preceding event or circumstance to its effect on a male subject. It introduces a clause explaining the reason for a particular feeling, action, or state of being. As Ludwig AI confirms, it effectively establishes cause-and-effect.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

97%

Science

1%

Formal & Business

1%

Less common in

Wiki

0%

Formal & Business

0%

Science

1%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "that made him" is a commonly used and grammatically sound phrase that serves to connect a cause with its effect on a male individual. As noted by Ludwig AI, it is particularly prevalent in news and media contexts, where it effectively explains motivations and describes changes in state. While versatile, avoiding overuse in simple sentences and opting for more direct verbs when appropriate will improve writing impact. By understanding its function and context, writers can effectively use "that made him" to add clarity and depth to their narratives.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

that caused him to

Focuses on the direct causation, implying a clear link between the action and its result.

that led him to

Suggests a directional influence, guiding the person towards a specific outcome.

as a result, he

Emphasizes the consequential nature, stating the outcome directly.

consequently, he

Similar to 'as a result', highlighting the logical sequence of events.

that influenced him to

Indicates a more subtle effect, where the person's actions were swayed rather than directly caused.

that motivated him to

Highlights the inspirational aspect, suggesting an internal drive spurred by the initial event.

that prompted him to

Implies a trigger or stimulus that initiated a response.

it made him

Shortened version focusing on the resulting state or feeling.

this resulted in him

Emphasizes the outcome as a direct effect of the prior event or situation.

this had him

Expresses the impact or state a person is in because of something.

FAQs

How can I use "that made him" in a sentence?

Use "that made him" to connect a preceding event or situation to a subsequent feeling, action, or state of being for a male individual. For instance, "The betrayal "that made him" distrust everyone" shows a direct cause-and-effect relationship.

What are some alternatives to "that made him"?

Depending on the context, you can use alternatives such as "that caused him to", "that led him to", or "that influenced him" to express a similar cause-and-effect relationship.

Is it better to use "that made him" or "which made him"?

"That made him" is generally preferred in restrictive clauses that are essential to the sentence's meaning. "Which made him" is more suitable for non-restrictive clauses that add extra information but aren't crucial to the sentence's core meaning. For example, "The challenge "that made him" stronger" versus "The experience, which made him reflect, was invaluable".

What's the difference between "that made him" and "it made him"?

"That made him" usually refers back to a specific, defined event or situation, whereas "it made him" is more general and can refer to a broader context or an understood antecedent. For example, "The criticism "that made him" reconsider his approach" versus "He faced adversity, and it made him more resilient".