Everyday Causative Verb: Clear Rules, Natural Examples & Practice
Everyday Causative Verb: Clear Rules, Natural Examples & Practice
What is a causative verb?
A causative verb shows that someone causes another person to do something or causes something to happen. Instead of doing the action themselves, the subject arranges, instructs, or causes someone else to perform the action.
In short: the subject causes the action — either by ordering, paying, arranging or letting it happen.
Common causative forms
There are a few common structures to express causation in English. The most frequent causative verbs are make, have, get, and let. Each one uses a different pattern:
make + object + base verb— strong causation (force, requirement): She made him apologize.have + object + base verb— arrange or ask someone to do something: I'll have the assistant call you.get + object + to-infinitive— persuade or arrange: He got her to sign the contract.let + object + base verb— give permission: They let him leave early.have/get + object + past participle— cause something to be done by someone else (passive causative): She had her house painted.
How meaning changes with each verb
Although these verbs all express causation, their tone and implication differ:
- Make implies obligation or force (made = compelled).
- Have is neutral — arranging or instructing someone, often in work contexts.
- Get suggests persuasion or effort to cause the action.
- Let conveys permission, often voluntary allowance.
Examples by pattern
make + obj + base verbThey made the students rewrite the essay.
(The students were required to rewrite it.)
have + obj + base verbI had the mechanic check the brakes.
(I arranged for the mechanic to check them.)
get + obj + to + verbShe got her team to finish the project early.
(She convinced or motivated them.)
let + obj + base verbHe let his kids choose the movie.
(He gave permission.)
have/get + obj + past participleWe had the report translated into Spanish.
(We arranged for someone else to translate it.)
Note: In the passive causative the agent (who does the job) is often omitted because it isn’t important.
Common errors & quick fixes
- Wrong: *She made him to apologize.*
Fix:She made him apologize.(make+ base verb, notto.) - Wrong: *I got him fix my car.*
Fix:I got him to fix my car.(getnormally needstobefore the verb.) - Wrong: *She had the door open by John.*
Fix:She had John open the door.orShe had the door opened by John.(use active or passive cause structure correctly.) - Be careful with meaning:
havevsget—haveis neutral/arrange;getoften implies effort or persuasion.
Short practice (try before you check answers)
1. Rewrite using have or get (choose one):
My boss will ask the assistant to schedule the meeting.
Answer area:
My boss will My boss will
have the assistant schedule the meeting.— or —
My boss will
get the assistant to schedule the meeting.
2. Correct the sentence: *He made her to leave early.*
He made her leave early.
3. Choose which verb fits best (make / have / get / let):
I _______ my car cleaned every month.
I have my car cleaned every month. (Passive causative: someone else cleans it; you arrange it.)
FAQ
- Q: Can
makebe passive? - A: Yes. Passive is possible:
He was made to apologize.Note the patternbe made to + verbin passive voice. - Q: When do I use
have+ past participle? - A: Use it when you arrange for someone to do a job: I had my hair cut. It focuses on the completed action rather than who did it.
- Q: Are causatives only with people?
- A: Mostly yes, because causatives often involve asking or arranging a person or service. But you can cause events: Rain made the match cancel — here we usually prefer passive or different phrasing (e.g., The match was canceled because of rain).
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