Causative Verbs

Causative verbs are an essential part of English grammar, used to show that someone causes another person or thing to perform an action. If you’re learning English or teaching it, understanding causative verbs will help you form sentences where the action is not performed directly by the subject but caused by them. Let’s dive into the definition, usage, and examples of causative verbs.

What Is a Causative Verb?

The term “causative” originates from the word “cause,” which means to bring about or make something happen. Causative verbs indicate that the subject causes another person or thing to do something or experience an action. They help us explain situations where one person influences or makes something happen indirectly.

Definitions:

• • According to the Oxford Learner’s Dictionary, a causative verb is “a verb that expresses the idea of one person causing another person to do something or having something done.”

Example:

• • “I had my brother fix my bike.” (I caused my brother to fix my bike.)
  • “She got her car repaired.” (She arranged for someone to repair her car.)

Types of Causative Verbs

Causative verbs can be grouped into the following categories:

1. Common Causative Verbs

These verbs include “have,” “get,” “make,” “let,” and “help.” Each has a specific use and structure.

How to Use Causative Verbs

1. Have

The causative verb have is used to indicate that someone arranges for another person to perform an action.

Structure:

• • Subject + have + object + base verb (for actions)
  • Subject + have + object + past participle (for results)

Examples:

1. “I had the mechanic repair my car.” (Action)

2. “She had her room cleaned by the maid.” (Result)

2. Get

The causative verb get suggests persuasion or arranging for someone to do something.

Structure:

• • Subject + get + object + to-infinitive

Examples:

1. “He got his sister to wash the dishes.”

2. “We got the painter to paint the house.”

3. Make

The causative verb make indicates compulsion or force. It shows that the subject forces someone to perform an action.

Structure:

• • Subject + make + object + base verb

Examples:

1. “The coach made the players run five laps.”

2. “My parents made me apologize to my teacher.”

4. Let

The causative verb let means to allow or permit someone to do something.

Structure:

• • Subject + let + object + base verb

Examples:

1. “He let me use his phone.”

2. “The teacher let the students leave early.”

5. Help

The causative verb help means to assist or aid someone in doing something.

Structure:

• • Subject + help + object + base verb/to-infinitive

Examples:

 1. “She helped me complete my homework.”

 2. “Can you help us to solve this problem?”

Types of Causative Verbs

Causative verbs can be grouped into the following categories:

1. Common Causative Verbs

These verbs include “have,” “get,” “make,” “let,” and “help.” Each has a specific use and structure.

How to Use Causative Verbs

1. Have

The causative verb have is used to indicate that someone arranges for another person to perform an action.

Structure:

• • Subject + have + object + base verb (for actions)
  • Subject + have + object + past participle (for results)

Examples:

1. “I had the mechanic repair my car.” (Action)

2. “She had her room cleaned by the maid.” (Result)

2. Get

The causative verb get suggests persuasion or arranging for someone to do something.

Structure:

• • Subject + get + object + to-infinitive

Examples:

1. “He got his sister to wash the dishes.”

2. “We got the painter to paint the house.”

3. Make

The causative verb make indicates compulsion or force. It shows that the subject forces someone to perform an action.

Structure:

• • Subject + make + object + base verb

Examples:

1. “The coach made the players run five laps.”

2. “My parents made me apologize to my teacher.”

4. Let

The causative verb let means to allow or permit someone to do something.

Structure:

• • Subject + let + object + base verb

Examples:

1. “He let me use his phone.”

2. “The teacher let the students leave early.”

5. Help

The causative verb help means to assist or aid someone in doing something.

Structure:

• • Subject + help + object + base verb/to-infinitive

Examples:

 1. “She helped me complete my homework.”

 2. “Can you help us to solve this problem?”

Key Differences: Have vs. Get

Have Something Done:

• • Indicates arranging for someone else to do something for you.
  • Example: “I had my house painted.” (Someone else painted the house.)

Get Something Done:

• • Suggests arranging for someone to do something or persuading them.
  • Example: “I got my friend to fix my computer.” (I persuaded my friend.)

Causative Verb Examples

Here are examples to help clarify how causative verbs work:

1. 1. Have:
      • “We had the carpets cleaned yesterday.”
      • “She has her students complete the assignments on time.”
   2. Get:
      • “I got him to explain the topic again.”
      • “They got their house painted before the wedding.”
   3. Make:
      • “The movie made me cry.”
      • “She made her brother share his toys.”
   4. Let:
      • “My parents let me go to the party.”
      • “He let his children play outside.”
   5. Help:
      • “He helped me fix my bike.”
      • “Can you help her solve this puzzle?”

Practice Exercise: Fill in the Blanks

Use the correct causative verb to complete the sentences:

1. The teacher _______ the students finish their project on time. (help)

2. She _______ her son clean his room before dinner. (make)

3. We _______ a professional photographer, take our family photo. (have)

4. Can you _______ me carry these bags to the car? (help)

5. They _______ their friends to join them for lunch. (get)

Answers:

1. helped

2. made

3. had

4. help

5. got