Cool MateWhat gives you the right vs What makes you think
When to use each in English, with meaning, register, and examples.
What gives you the right
Top 2,000 (common)
What makes you think
Top 2,000 (common)
| What gives you the right | What makes you think | |
|---|---|---|
| Pronunciation | 🇬🇧 //wɒt gɪvz jʊ ðə raɪt//🇺🇸 //wɑt ɡɪvz ju ðə raɪt// | 🇬🇧 //wɒt meɪks jʊ θɪŋk//🇺🇸 //wɑt meɪks jʊ θɪŋk// |
| Meaning | Why do you think you can do this? | A way to ask someone why they believe something. |
| Example | She asked him, 'What gives you the right to tell me how to raise my child?' | What makes you think that I would lie to you? |
| Register | Neutral | Neutral |
| How common | Top 2,000 (common) | Top 2,000 (common) |
| Collocations | What gives you the right to decide, What gives you the right to impose, What gives you the right to judge | What makes you think that, What makes you think otherwise, What makes you think you know |
| Common mistakes | Misusing in formal contexts where a more formal expression is needed., Using it in a joking manner when it's more serious., Confusing with 'What gives you the right to?' which is more accusatory. | Using 'think' without 'what makes you'—it sounds incomplete., Confusing it with 'What do you think?'—which asks for an opinion rather than reasoning. |
| Usage notes | This phrase is often used to challenge someone's authority or justification. Suitable for discussions or confrontations but not overly formal occasions. | Use this phrase when you want to inquire about someone's reasoning or justification for a belief. It's neutral in tone but can be perceived as challenging if used in a certain tone. |
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Frequently asked questions: What gives you the right vs What makes you think
What's the difference between What gives you the right and What makes you think?
What gives you the right: Why do you think you can do this? What makes you think: A way to ask someone why they believe something.
Can you show an example of each?
What gives you the right: She asked him, 'What gives you the right to tell me how to raise my child?' What makes you think: What makes you think that I would lie to you?
Can I use What gives you the right and What makes you think interchangeably?
Not always. What gives you the right and What makes you think are related and overlap in some contexts, but they differ in register, how common they are, and usage, so swapping one for another can change the meaning or tone. Check the differences above before substituting.