Causative verbs: Let, Make, Have, Get, Help

The verbs let, make, have, get and help are called ‘causative’ verbs because
they cause something to happen. As such, these verbs are used in a causative
sentence structure.
 Causative verb LET
Meaning: allow someone to do something.
Structure: Let + person/thing + verb
Example sentences:
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.
 Causative verb MAKE
Meaning: force or require someone to do something.
Structure: Make + person + verb
Example sentences:
They make students exercise regularly.
John’s mum made him eat his dinner.
His parents tried to make him be a better person.
 Causative verb HAVE
Meaning: give someone the responsibility to do something.
Structure: Have + person + verb
Example sentences:
We had a painter paint our apartment.
Sheila had a hairdresser do her hair.
Paul had a mechanic fix his car.
 Causative verb GET:
Meaning: convince/persuade someone to do something.
Structure: Get + person + to + verb
Example sentences:
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.
 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.
 Exercise Fill in the gaps with causative verbs let, have, make, help and
get and the verbs in brackets in the correct form:
1) I don't _____ my children _____ video games. (play)
2) The police ______ him _____ for the damage he caused. (pay)
3) Rob _______ his house _____ next weekend.. (paint)
4) Julia _____ her boyfriend _______ her a ring. (buy)
5) Sam ______ me ________ the grocery. (carry)
6) When we were little our parents used to _____ us ______ late on
Saturdays. (stay up) 7) Please, try not to _____ her _____. (cry)
8) This quiz can ______ you ________ causative verbs better. (understand)
9) Laura never _____ people _____ her what to do. (tell)
10) My friend _____ me _____ her with her CV. (help)
11) Reading _____ you _______ easier. (fall asleep)
12) I ______ a plumber _____ my plumbing this morning. (fix)
  Rewrite these sentences using have or get.
1. The mechanic changed the oil in my car.
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2. The hairdresser cut my hair in a completely different style.
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3. A decorator has repainted our house.
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4. A friend of mine, who´s an electrician, is going to repair my DVD player next
week.
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5. My jacket is being cleaned at a specialist cleaner´s.
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6. The town hall has just been rebuilt for the council.
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 Rephrase the sentences below to form one statement that includes a

causative verb
1. I can’t return to the restaurant after yesterday’s incident. They won’t permit it.
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2. I’m painting the bedroom tomorrow. John will help me.
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3. I sometimes drive my dad’s car. He lets me.
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4. I can’t solve these math equations. Can you help me?
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5. Only family members can visit the patients. The hospital staff allows it.
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6. You have to fill out the form to donate blood. They require it.
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7. The soldiers lay down their weapons. Their general ordered it.
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8. I have to call my mom when we reach our destination. Please remind me!
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 Change the sentence below to include the form of the verb in the
bracket and use the passive causative form.
1. The teacher cleaned the blackboard. (have)
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2. I did my nails. (have)
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3. She dyed her hair. (get)
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4. I picked up the groceries. (have)
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5. I did my homework. (have)
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 Choose the correct usage of verb form for each of the sentences below.
1. Do you clean the apartment yourself or _____ someone do it for you?
A. had B. have C. to have
2. I don’t know if I should buy a new smartphone or get my old one ______.
A. to fix B. fix C. fixed ______
3. I left early to help my mom ______ the groceries.
A. carry B. to carry C. carried
4. Sarah had Tom _______ her new laptop.
A. to format B. formatting C. format
5. My mom doesn’t allow me _______ sugar in the evening.
A. to eat B. eat C. eating
6. Our company requires us _______ to do random unannounced drug tests.
A. to agree B. agree C. agreed
7. Her lung problems force her ______ smoking for good.
A. quitting B. quit C. to quit
8. I won’t let you ______ another night in that house!
A. to spend B. spend C. spending
9. Francis should let Fred _______ her with her project.
A. help B. to help C. helping
10. Upon further discussion, we have agreed to allow parents _______ their kids
to work.
A. bringing B. to bring C. bring
 Fill in the Gaps
1. Jenny really wanted a pony, but her parents wouldn't ______________ her
have a pet.
2. I can't believe she ______________ you look at her vacation pictures again
last night. We have to look at those stupid pictures every time we go to her house.
3. I don't know how you convince John to clean his room. I couldn't
______________ my children to clean their rooms if my life depended on it.
4. Professor Yu ______________ her students use a dictionary while they were
taking the test.
5. Jenny ______________ me take off my shoes before I went into her house.
She said she wanted to keep the carpet clean.
6. Diane thinks television is a waste of time, so she won't ______________ her
children watch TV.
7. Mr. Jones ______________ his secretary call Ms. Jackson and reconfirm their
meeting on Thursday.
8. Marcus ______________ me drive his new car.
9. My boss ______________ me get him coffee, pick up his dry cleaning and buy
presents for his wife.
10. Tommy didn't want to go to his cousin's birthday party, but his mom
______________ him go.
11. I can't believe the zoo keeper ______________ you feed the snake. That was
so cool!
12. Our boss doesn’t ______________ us eat lunch at our desks; we have to eat
in the cafeteria.
13. Oops! I wasn’t paying attention while cooking, and I ___________ the food
burn.

Is there anything your mother or father always makes you do?

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What do your friends get you to do for them?
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Is there something that you let other people do for you?
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Is there anything your mother or father let you do?
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