I have a tiny rubber toy chick like the above picture.
When I squeeze it, it makes some hissing sound.
When I shake it, it flashes or blinks
Is it natural to say "squeeze the toy chick to make it hiss" and "shake the toy chick to make it flash"?
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I imagine you know that's a bath toy, and when used as such it squirts water. But sure, when used dry, it might make a hissing sound. Similar toys for pets are called squeaky toys.– TypeIACommented Oct 26, 2020 at 8:43
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@TypeIA, so we say "squeeze it to make it squeaky"?– TomCommented Oct 26, 2020 at 8:52
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No, squeaky is an adjective. The verb and noun are both squeak, and it's a different sound than a hiss. Squeaky toys squeak; your bath toy may squeak or hiss when used dry, or squirt when used with water.– TypeIACommented Oct 26, 2020 at 9:24
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@TypeIA, I might have understood the sound of the above toy wrongly. I would say the toy makes both squeak and hissing sound all together. If it made only hissing sound, people wouldn't buy it.– TomCommented Oct 26, 2020 at 9:29
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@Tom sounds to me like it has a defect - not surprising in what is clearly a very cheap item. But back to the question - both examples are fine to my eyes.– MikeBCommented Oct 26, 2020 at 9:37
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1 Answer
Yes, both are correct.
In general, "X the Y to make it Z", where X is a verb, Y is a noun, and Z is another verb, is correct6 and natural. This is in the imperitive mood, and is instructional. The speaker is telling someone what to do (X) to achieve a result (Z).
answered Oct 28, 2020 at 2:14
