OBLIGE vs. MAKE

Good morning. Today we are going to look at two more verbs with a similar meaning but with different Verb Patterns (grammatical forms). Today's words are: to oblige someone to do something; to make someone do something. They mean: to force someone to do something. Notice that with the verb oblige, after the object someone, we use TO infinitive verb. However, when we use the verb make, after the object someone, we use an infinitive verb WITHOUT the word TO. Similar to let and allow, this is a grammatical difference. Otherwise, the words more or less have the same meaning. However, to make someone do something is perhaps more common, and it is therefore more informal. To oblige someone to do something is used more formally and is usually used in the passive form (be obliged to do something). Compare these examples: Example 1: Their teacher made them do extra work after class because they had been naughty. Their teacher obliged them to do extra work after class because they had been naughty. (active) They were obliged to do extra work after class because they had been naughty. (passive) Example 2: The customs agents made me unpack my luggage before I could enter the country. The customs agents obliged me to unpack my luggage before I could enter the country. (active) I was obliged to unpack my luggage before I could enter the country. (passive) Example 3: Nobody is making you stay. If you're bored or unhappy, why don't you leave? Nobody is obliging you to stay. If you're bored or unhappy, why don't you leave? You are not obliged to stay. If you're bored or unhappy, why don't you leave? If you have any questions about these verbs, please don't hesitate to contact me. Have a nice day and an excellent long weekend! Remember that there will be no Daily vitamin tomorrow or Monday.