Causative Verbs

Causative verbs are verbs used to express that somebody else is doing something for you. The present
structure of causative verbs is:

S + have + Noun + V3
S + get + Noun + V3

Examples:
We have our grass cut every week.
We get our grass cut every week.

Those sentences mean somebody else cuts out grass. In other words, we don’t cut our grass by
ourselves.
When we use a singular subject, please change the verbs into the singular form too.

Example:
S + have + Noun + V3
S + get + Noun + V3

He has his oil changed often.

He gets his oil changed often.

Those sentences mean somebody else changes his oil In other words, He doesn’t change his oil by
himself.
The past structure of causative verbs is:

S + had + Noun + V3
S + got + Noun + V3

Examples:
She had her curtains made last year.
She got her curtains made last year.

Those sentences mean somebody else made her curtains. In other words, she doesn’t make her
curtains by herself.
Besides have and get, other verbs used are let and make. However, the structure and the meaning will be
different.

S+ let + noun + basic verb = to allow

S + make + noun + basic verb = to force
S + have + noun + basic verbs = to arrange

Examples:
They let her cut her hair  They allowed her cut her hair
They had her cut her hair  They arranged for her to cut her hair.
They made her cut her hair  They forced her to cut her hair.
She makes him go outside  She forces him to go outside
She has him go outside  she arranges for him to go outside.
She lets him go outside  She allows him to go outside.
 Source:
 Yates, Jean. 2006. Master the basic English 2nd edition. New York: Barron’s