what makes him

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase 'what makes him' is correct and can be used in written English.
For example: I'm curious to know what makes him so successful in his business.

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

What makes him special?

Independent

"That's what makes him special".

The New York Times

What makes him muddled is what makes him last.

The New Yorker

What makes him happy?

The Guardian - Music

What makes him pessimistic?

The Guardian - Arts

What makes him angry?

The Guardian - TV & Radio

What makes him laugh?

The Guardian - TV & Radio

What makes him the man he is.

The New York Times - Sports

That's what makes him take stands.

The New Yorker

"What makes him so good?" Good question.

The New York Times - Arts

And that's what makes him special".

The New York Times - Books

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "what makes him", ensure the context clearly indicates what aspect of the person you are inquiring about, whether it's their personality, skills, or motivations.

Common error

Avoid using "what makes him" in overly broad contexts where the specific aspect you're interested in is unclear. Instead, provide more specific information to guide your reader.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "what makes him" functions as an interrogative phrase used to elicit information about the qualities, characteristics, or reasons that define a particular individual. This is evident from Ludwig's examples, where it's used to understand what sets someone apart or explains their actions.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

75%

Wiki

10%

Formal & Business

5%

Less common in

Science

3%

Encyclopedias

2%

Reference

2%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "what makes him" is a versatile and grammatically sound interrogative used to explore the defining qualities of an individual. As Ludwig AI confirms, its usage is correct and common across various contexts, especially in news and media. While suitable for neutral and informal settings, more formal alternatives may be preferred in certain situations. Understanding the specific context is crucial to effectively employ "what makes him" and elicit insightful explanations about a person's character, motivations, or achievements.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

what defines him

This alternative focuses on the core traits that characterize the person.

what motivates him

This phrase emphasizes the driving forces behind the person's actions.

what drives him

Similar to 'what motivates him', this highlights the inner forces propelling the individual.

what are his defining qualities

This option directly asks about the characteristics that set him apart.

what is special about him

This alternative inquires about unique or remarkable aspects of the person.

what are his key attributes

This phrases seeks to identify the qualities and characteristics a person has.

what makes him tick

This idiomatic expression asks about what interests or motivates the person.

what are the reasons for his actions

This alternative shifts the focus to understanding the rationale behind the person's behavior.

what shapes his character

This option emphasizes influences on the personality.

what is the secret of his success

This phrase focuses on identifying the key element that enables a person to thrive.

FAQs

How can I use "what makes him" in a sentence?

You can use "what makes him" to inquire about someone's defining characteristics. For example, "What makes him so successful in his field?"

What's a more formal alternative to "what makes him"?

In more formal contexts, consider using "what defines him" or "what are his defining qualities".

Is "what makes him" grammatically correct?

Yes, "what makes him" is grammatically correct and commonly used in English to ask about the reasons or qualities that define someone.

Can "what makes him" be used in both formal and informal settings?

While versatile, "what makes him" is generally more suitable for informal and neutral contexts. For formal situations, consider alternatives that sound more sophisticated, such as "what are his key attributes".