make someone do something
Advanced Chunks – Category 7

Meaning

to force or cause someone to do something

Primary Function

compels action or brings about a state

Communicative Purpose

to express causation or obligation

Pattern

make; someone; do

Core Structure

make; someone; do

Função primária

compels action or brings about a state

Propósito comunicativo

to express causation or obligation

Situações de gatilho

rules, emotional influence, management

Contextos

everyday interactions, professional settings

Padrão

make; someone; do

Estrutura central

make; someone; do

Slots de substituição

someone (any noun phrase); verb (bare infinitive)

Colocados típicos

  • always
  • never
  • can't
  • what made you
  • try to make someone do something

Substituições comuns

  • force to
  • compel to
  • cause to

Erros comuns

using *make someone to do instead of the bare infinitive; passive form requires 'to': was made to do

Similar / contraste

force to, cause to, compel to, get to

Interferências

learners often overuse 'to', reminding them that passive constructions need 'to': e.g., not *made someone doing but be made to do

Família do chunk

  • force to
  • cause to
  • compel to
  • have

Nuance

'make' implies a direct causal influence or authority, whereas 'force' suggests stronger compulsion.

Efeito pragmático

conveys an authoritative or obligatory tone, useful in directives, advice, and emergency instructions.

Dica de memória

The story made me think.

Nota

This chunk is used to express causation or obligation, indicating that someone is compelled to perform an action. It is commonly used in both everyday and professional contexts to convey authority or necessity.

Upgrade path

replace with more nuanced alternatives like 'induce to' for less forceful intent or 'lead to' when emphasizing gradual effect.

Frequência: Very highFormulaicidade: Semi-fixedTipo de construção: Sentence framePrioridade de aquisição: Automatic productionPrioridade de output: BothTag de espaçamento: Immediate

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