SECTION 6.

2
THE CAUSATIVE
1
Goals of Section 6.2

Identify different
causative forms in Apply them into
both active and the right context
passive voice
2
 The causative is usually used when we are not
concerned about the person doing the action.
What is the
causative? The form of the causative:
have/ get something done
• E.g. We have/ get the windows cleaned once a month.

Compare:
• Active: I built a house. (= I did it myself.)
• Passive:I had a house built. (I asked someone to
build a house for me.)

3
The Active:I have the hairdresser cut
Causative my hair.
(have/ get Passive: I have my hair cut.
something
done)
Active:I get the cleaner to clean
my room.
Passive: I get my room cleaned.

4
 The Causative is often used with
Verbs often verbs that have to do with
used in the services:
E.g. build, cut, clean, decorate,
Causative develop, dye (my hair), fix, mend,
form photocopy, press, print, repair,
service, etc.

5
   Active Passive

Different Present
simple
I have the mechanic fix my car. I have my car fixed.

tenses with Present I am having the mechanic fix I am having my car

the Causative continuous my car. fixed.
Present I have had the mechanic fix my I have had my car
perfect car. fixed.
Past simple I had the mechanic fix my car. I had my car fixed.
Why we use the Causative?
Past perfect I had had the mechanic fix my I had had my car fixed.
• The car is being serviced. car.
• (= We’re focusing on the car.)
Future Simple I will have the mechanic fix my I will have my car fixed.
• We are having the car car.
serviced. be going to I am going to have the I am going to have my
• (= We didn’t do it ourselves.) mechanic fix my car. car fixed.

6
   Active Passive
have I will have the I will have my hotel
(= pay or ask someone to housekeeper clean my room cleaned.
do something) hotel room.
get I have to get the I have to get my car
Other (=pay or ask someone to
do something – more
mechanic to fix my car. fixed. (I really need to
use it this afternoon.)

causative urgent causative)

let My parents only let me I am only allowed to

verbs (= allow/ permit someone play games at the
to do something) weekend.
play games at the
weekend.
The police let him go. He was let go by the
police.
make My mom made me I was made to clean the
(= force/ require clean the floor. floor by my mom.
someone to do
something)
help My brother helps me do I am helped to do
(= help/ assist someone homework. homework by my
to do something) brother.
I have my homework
done.

7
8