He slept his baby, is it OK?

Question

Hi, everyoneHe runs his horse/car.He sits his baby on his lap.This two sentences are found in the dictionary. However the sentence like he slept his baby in the cradle.He slept his baby, is it OK? I have found just several sentences with that type in Google, but I'm sure if it can be OK because my dictionary doesn't have it as that way to the verb "sleep".Thank you in advance. And Have a happy day.

Shawn79 · Accepted Answer

No, you can't say it that way. You would say: "He put his baby to sleep." <img class='emoticon' style='Width:19px;Height:19px;' data-delaysrc='https://uat-englishforward-forums-backend.s3.us-west-2.amazonaws.com/Emoticons/1.gif' src='https://uat-englishforward-forums-backend.s3.us-west-2.amazonaws.com/Emoticons/1.gif' alt='Emotion: smile'/>

4444mv · Answer

Put to sleep means kill. Another meaning is to make someone unconscious before a medical operation by giving them drugs. (Longman dictionary)

I would say 'make him sleep'

Shawn79 · Answer

4444mvPut to sleep means kill. Another meaning is to make someone unconscious before a medical operation by giving them drugs. (Longman dictionary)

The phrase "put (down) to sleep" does not mean to kill when used with babies! It can mean that with regard to animals, especially pets, as a gentler way of saying "kill". Compare the following examples of usage taken from several sources:

Baby just doesn't want to be put down to sleep alone.
How To Put Your Baby To Sleep at Night in 6 Easy Steps.
BABY SLEEP MUSIC - GENTLY PUT YOUR BABY TO SLEEP.
How Do You Put Your Baby To Sleep?
How to Put a Baby to Sleep: 16 Tips - wikiHow
Learn How to Put Your Baby to Sleep Safely (short version)
Putting your baby to sleep | Baby | Baby care 101 | March of Dimes

4444mvI would say 'make him sleep'

This doesn't have the same exact meaning as these:

Put the baby to sleep
Put the baby to bed
Put/Lay the baby down

Khoff · Answer

4444mvI would say 'make him sleep'

You can't make a baby sleep!

4444mv · Answer

Ok Shawn 79. I 've written a definition taken from Longman dictionary.    Is this an American expression or is it used in England too?  Is this correct when referring only to babies?    Is it wrong to say 'make a baby sleep'?    This is the way we can learn a bit more every day. Thank you very much!

Shawn79 · Answer

4444mv Is this an American expression or is it used in England too?

It's definitely common in America. I can't speak for how common it is in British English, though I found it used on UK websites like this one: http://www.nct.org.uk/parenting/sleeping-safely-your-baby

Always put your baby to sleep on her back rather than...

4444mv Is it wrong to say 'make a baby sleep'?

I agree with khoff's post that you cannot say it this way. You will find this phrase like: "How do I make my baby sleep?" But this means: "How do I get my baby to fall/stay asleep?" The statement "I make my baby sleep" sounds bad and would be meaningless to native speakers.

I'm glad you raised the issue, since "put to sleep" can be a euphemism for "kill".

4444mv · Answer

Ok Shawn 79. Now I'll start using this expression!  Thanks!! <img class='emoticon' style='Width:19px;Height:19px;' data-delaysrc='https://uat-englishforward-forums-backend.s3.us-west-2.amazonaws.com/Emoticons/21.gif' src='https://uat-englishforward-forums-backend.s3.us-west-2.amazonaws.com/Emoticons/21.gif' alt='Emotion: yes'/>

Youngbuts · Answer

thank you very much<img class='emoticon' style='Width:19px;Height:19px;' data-delaysrc='https://uat-englishforward-forums-backend.s3.us-west-2.amazonaws.com/Emoticons/10.gif' src='https://uat-englishforward-forums-backend.s3.us-west-2.amazonaws.com/Emoticons/10.gif' alt='Emotion: embarrassed'/>

Youngbuts · Answer

Thank you again for all of good teachings.(I'm not sure whether this expression of mine is appropraite, but I mean I appreciate all very much.)

As I have read the articles, I've got another question. If to native speakers,"How do I make my baby sleep?" is OK and "I make my baby sleep" is not OK, then when you use the verb "make" in the pattern of "make somebody do somthing" natives speakers have an indirect way for the thing to happen? What I mean.... if I say she made him fired, does this sentence imply she made him fired "by indirect way" not by her hands? If so, can I say " By the music she made her baby sleep deeply"?

I wish peace would be with all of us.

4444mv · Answer

Perhaps to make somebody do something implies to force them to do it. Am I right?

He slept his baby, is it OK?

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