Causative Verbs

 

The causatives are verbs that are used to indicate that one person causes another person to do something for the first person. One can cause somebody to do something for him/her by asking, requesting or forcing the person.

These are the causative verbs: Have, Get, Make and Let.

 

Have: Structures and uses

Structure 1:

Sub + have (any tense) + object (usually person) + v1 + other words.

Examples:

1. Bill had Lisa clean the house.

2. James always has me do his work.

3. Ronnie will have John prepare food.

 

Structure 2:

Sub + have (any tense) + object (usually thing) + v3 (past participle) + other words.

Examples:

1. Mary had her car washed.

2. She always had her work done.

3. Ronnie will have her food prepared.

 

Get: Structures and uses

Structure 1:

Sub + get (any tense) + + obj (usually person) + infinitive with to + other words.

Examples:

1. John got Alex to clean the house.

2. She always gets me to do her work.

3. Ronnie will get me to prepare food.

 

Structure 2:

Sub + get (any tense) + obj (usually thing) + v3 (past participle) + other words.

Examples:

1. John got his house cleaned.

2. She always gets her work done.

3. Ronnie will get her food prepared.

 

Make: Structure and uses

Make is stronger than “have” and “get.” It constitutes only one structure as it does not take anything passive as its object.

Structure:

Sub + make (any tense) + obj (always person) + v1 + other words.

Examples:

1. James made me carry his bag.

2. Ronnie will make me prepare food.

3. I made him clean the house.

4. He always makes me laugh.

 

5. Don’t make her cry.

 

Let: Structure and uses

Structure:

Sub + let (any tense) + obj + v1 + other words.

Examples:

1. He lets his wife focus on her career.

2. Will you let me use your computer?

3. The trainer let me drink some water after the workout.

 

Other causative verbs: Help, cause, allow, enable, force, require, persuade etc.