Causative Verbs in Englis1

Causative Verbs In English: Let, Make,
Have, Get, Help
What is a causative verb? The causative verb is a common structure in

English. It shows that somebody or something is indirectly responsible for
an action. The most common causative verbs are Make, Get, Have, Let,
they cause something else to happen.
HOW TO USE CAUSATIVE VERBS IN

ENGLISH
THIS CONSTRUCTION MEANS :
 TO ALLOW SOMEONE TO DO SOMETHING.
 PERMIT SOMETHING TO HAPPEN
Grammatical structure:
 S + LET + PERSON + VERB (base form) + C.

 S + LET + THING + VERB(base form) + C.
Examples:
 I don’t let my kids watch violent movies.

 Mary’s father won’t let her adopt a puppy because he’s allergic to dogs.
 Our boss doesn’t let us eat lunch at our desks; we have to eat in the cafeteria.
 Oops! I wasn’t paying attention while cooking, and I let the food burn.
 Don’t let the advertising expenses surpass $1000.
 Remember: The past tense of let is also let; there is no change!
 If you need any help, let me know.
 Move up, John, and let the lady sit down.
 John let me drive his new car.
 Will your parents let you go to the party?
 I don't know if my boss will let me take the day off.
 We couldn’t let our daughter adopt a kitten because she’s
allergic to cats.
 My brother let me use his computer when mine broke down.
 Sarah never lets anyone tell her what to do.
Note: The verbs allow and permit are more formal ways to say “let.” However,

with allow and permit, we use to + verb:
 I don’t allow my kids to watch violent movies.

 Our boss doesn’t permit us to eat lunch at our desks.
MAKE :
This construction means:
 FORCE OR REQUIRE SOMEONE TO TAKE AN ACTION

 force or require someone to do something.
 S + MAKE + PERSON + VERB (base form) + C.
 S + MAKES + PERSON + VERB (base form) + C.

 S + MADE + PERSON + VERB (base form) + C.
 S + WIIL + MAKE + PERSON + VERB (base form) + C.
 S + HAVE + MADE + PERSON + VERB (base form) + C.
Examples:
 After Billy broke the neighbor’s window, his parents made him pay for it.
 My ex-boyfriend loved sci-fi and made me watch every episode of his favorite
show.
 The teacher made all the students rewrite their papers, because the first drafts
were not acceptable.
 They make students exercise regularly.

 John’s mum made him eat his dinner.
 His parents tried to make him be a better person.
 My parents always make me do my homework before I go out.
 It seems unfair on him to make him pay for everything.
Note: When using the verbs force and require, we must use to + verb.

 The school requires the students to wear uniforms.
“Require” often implies that there is a rule.
 The hijacker forced the pilots to take the plane in a different direction.
“Force” often implies violence, threats, or extremely strong pressure
HAVE =
This construction means :
 TO AUTHORIZE SOMEONE TO DO SOMETHING”.

 GIVE SOMEONE ELSE THE RESPONSIBILITY TO
DO SOMETHING
 S + HAVE + PERSON + VERB (base form) + C.

 S + HAVE + THING + PAST PARTICIPLE OF VERB + C.
Examples of grammatical structure #1:

 I’ll have my assistant call you to reschedule the appointment.
 The businessman had his secretary make copies of the report.
 We had a painter paint our appartment.
 Sheila had a hairdresser do her hair.
 Paul had a mechanic fix his car.
Examples of grammatical structure #2:
 I’m going to have my hair cut tomorrow.

 We’re having our house painted this weekend.
 Bob had his teeth whitened; his smile looks great!
 My washing machine is broken; I need to have it repaired.
Note: In informal speech, we often use get in these cases:
 I’m going to get my hair cut tomorrow.

 We’re getting our house painted this weekend.
 Bob got his teeth whitened; his smile looks great!
 My washing machine is broken; I need to get it repaired.
GET :
This construction usually means :
“TO CONVINCE SOMEONE TO DO SOMETHING” OR “TO

TRICK SOMEONE INTO DOING SOMETHING.”
CONVINCE/ENCOURAGE SOMEONE TO DO SOMETHING
 S + GET +
PERSON + TO + VERB + C
Examples:
 How can we get all the employees to arrive on time?

 My husband hates housework; I can never get him to wash the dishes!
 I was nervous about eating sushi, but my brother got me to try it at a Japanese
restaurant.
 The non-profit got a professional photographer to take photos at the event for free.
 Jane got her son to help her with the dishes.
 She got her boyfriend to buy her an expensive ring.
 I got my neighbor to help me carry my suitcase.
 The students got the teacher to dismiss class early.

 We couldn’t get him to sign the agreement.
HELP = ASSIST SOMEONE IN DOING

SOMETHING
 HELP + PERSON + VERB (base form)

 HELP + PERSON + TO + VERB
After “help,” you can use “to” or not – both ways are correct. In general, the
form without “to” is more common:
 He helped me carry the boxes.
 He helped me to carry the boxes.
 Reading before bed helps me relax.
 Reading before bed helps me to relax.
Causative verb HELP
Meaning: give aid to someone in doing something.
Structure: Help + person + (to) verb
Note: (after “help” you can use the infinitive with to (to do) or bare
infinitive (do).
Example sentences:
Helen helped me (to) do my homework.
A cup of coffee in the morning helps me (to) wake up.
My colleague helped me (to) write my CV.
What Is A Causative Verb?
Causative Verb Examples:
 Why did you let him swear at you like that?

 He made his son clean his room.
 I had Peter fix my car.
 We couldn’t get her to sign the agreement.
Have Something Done vs. Get

Something Done
HAVE is slightly more formal than GET in “Have something done” and
“Get something done”.
“Have something done” Examples:
I had my hair cut last Saturday.
She had the car washed at the weekend.
“Get something done” Examples:
I really must get my eyes tested. I´m sure I need glasses.
She got her hair cut.

Causative Verbs Chart
Make
FORM
[make + person + verb]
USE
This construction means "to force someone to do something."
Examples:
 My teacher made me apologize for what I had said.

 Did somebody make you wear that ugly hat?
 She made her children do their homework.
Have
FORM
[have + person + verb]
USE
This construction means "to give someone the responsibility to do

something."
Examples:
 Dr. Smith had his nurse take the patient's temperature.

 Please have your secretary fax me the information.
 I had the mechanic check the brakes.
Get
FORM
[get + person + to + verb]
USE
This construction usually means "to convince to do something" or "to

trick someone into doing something."
Examples:
 Susie got her son to take the medicine even though it tasted
terrible.
 How can parents get their children to read more?
 The government TV commercials are trying to get people to
stop smoking.
Get vs. Have
Sometimes "get someone to do something" is interchangeable with

"have someone do something," but these expressions do not mean
exactly the same thing.
Examples:
 I got the mechanic to check my brakes.

At first the mechanic didn't think it was necessary, but I
convinced him to check the brakes.
 I had the mechanic check my brakes.
I asked the mechanic to check the brakes.
Exercises

Causative Verbs in Englis1

Uploaded by

Copyright:

Available Formats

Causative Verbs in Englis1

Uploaded by

Document Information

Original Description:

Copyright

Available Formats

Share this document

Share or Embed Document

Sharing Options

Did you find this document useful?

Is this content inappropriate?

Copyright:

Available Formats

Causative Verbs in Englis1

Uploaded by

Copyright:

Available Formats

Causative Verbs In English: Let, Make,

Have, Get, Help

What is a causative verb? The causative verb is a common structure in

HOW TO USE CAUSATIVE VERBS IN

THIS CONSTRUCTION MEANS :

 TO ALLOW SOMEONE TO DO SOMETHING.

 PERMIT SOMETHING TO HAPPEN

 S + LET + PERSON + VERB (base form) + C.

 I don’t let my kids watch violent movies.

Note: The verbs allow and permit are more formal ways to say “let.” However,

 I don’t allow my kids to watch violent movies.

This construction means:

 FORCE OR REQUIRE SOMEONE TO TAKE AN ACTION

 S + MAKE + PERSON + VERB (base form) + C.

 S + MAKES + PERSON + VERB (base form) + C.

 They make students exercise regularly.

Note: When using the verbs force and require, we must use to + verb.

This construction means :

 TO AUTHORIZE SOMEONE TO DO SOMETHING”.

 S + HAVE + PERSON + VERB (base form) + C.

Examples of grammatical structure #1:

Examples of grammatical structure #2:

 I’m going to have my hair cut tomorrow.

Note: In informal speech, we often use get in these cases:

 I’m going to get my hair cut tomorrow.

This construction usually means :

“TO CONVINCE SOMEONE TO DO SOMETHING” OR “TO

CONVINCE/ENCOURAGE SOMEONE TO DO SOMETHING

 How can we get all the employees to arrive on time?

 The students got the teacher to dismiss class early.

HELP = ASSIST SOMEONE IN DOING

 HELP + PERSON + VERB (base form)

 Why did you let him swear at you like that?

Have Something Done vs. Get

“Have something done” Examples:

I had my hair cut last Saturday.

She had the car washed at the weekend.

“Get something done” Examples:

I really must get my eyes tested. I´m sure I need glasses.

She got her hair cut.

[make + person + verb]

This construction means "to force someone to do something."

 My teacher made me apologize for what I had said.

[have + person + verb]

This construction means "to give someone the responsibility to do

 Dr. Smith had his nurse take the patient's temperature.

[get + person + to + verb]

This construction usually means "to convince to do something" or "to

Get vs. Have

Sometimes "get someone to do something" is interchangeable with

 I got the mechanic to check my brakes.

You might also like