CAUSATIVE

VERBS
(Grammar and Structures)
English IV
Generic BS Nursing
Dow University of Health Sciences

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Introduction

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Definition

■ The causatives are the 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, paying, requesting, or forcing the person.

■ Causative verbs are: get, have, make, let, help

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 Causative 1: Have/get something done

■ This means that someone does something for you because you pay or ask them to
do it , but you don’t say who this person is.

HAVE / GET SOMETHING DONE

He had / got his hair cut.

She didn’t have / get her teeth checked.

I had / got the leak in the roof fixed.

Did you have / get the TV repaired?

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 Causative 2: have someone do something

■ This means that someone does something for you because you pay or ask them to
do it, but you also say who this person is.

HAVE SOMEONE DO SOMETHING

The teacher had the students write a test.

I’ll have my assistant call you with the details.

I had the handyman fix the leak.

Did you have the electrician repair the TV?

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 Causative 3: Get someone to do
something
■ This means someone does something for you because you persuade (= encourage,
tell them that you’d like them to do something) them to do it. So this construction
feels less neutral than the previous ones.

GET SOMEONE TO DO SOMETHING

I (finally) got my kids to go to bed.

I can never get my wife to cook dinner.

Can you ever get your sisters to stop fighting?

Kevin got his brothers to take him on an adventure.

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 Causative 4: Make someone do
something
■ This means that you force someone/something to do something for you.

MAKE SOMEONE/SOMETHING DO SOMETHING

You make your curls slay.

Don’t make her (Sarah) cry.

The teacher made him (Peter) work hard.

Why do you make them (your parents) worry so much about you?

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 Causative 5: Let someone/something do
something
■ This means that you allow ( = let, give permission to do something) someone to do
something or you allow something to happen.

LET SOMEONE/SOMETHING DO SOMETHING

She let the kids stay up past midnight.

I let the chicken burn in the oven.

Why did he let this happen?

Let me go!

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 Causative 6: Help someone (to) do
something
■ This means that you help ( = assist) someone (to) do something. This structure is
most often used without ‘to’.

HELP SOMEONE (to) DO SOMETHING

Milk can help you fall asleep.

Could you help me carry my bags?

I don’t see how this helps them understand the lesson.

Can computer games help kids learn to read?

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Exercise:

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