Causative Verbs

What is a causative verb?

The word “Causative” is derived from the old French word “causatif,” meaning effective as a cause or agent & from the Latin word “causativus,” meaning a cause or a reason. Hence, Causative verbs are called causative because they cause something or someone to perform an action. They express causation. These normal looking verbs, when used as causative verbs, have a unique structure or form and serve a particular purpose. The basic notion for causative verbs is that you don’t act, but you control someone who does the action.

Causative Verbs:

In English grammar, causative verbs are actions leading to a different meaning, such as persuade, ask, convince, force, permit, require, paying for a service, enable, etc. An amusing fact is that you don’t perform the action but others in primary forms of causative verbs, which are Have, Let, and Make. However, when you include Help as a causative verb, you come into action. 

Causative Verbs Examples:

There are only three proper causative verbs which include have, let, make. However, including all the causative scenarios, there are mainly five types of causative verbs which are as follows:

• Have

• Get

• Make

• Let

• Help

The structures and meanings for all the causative verbs differ. You can use causative verbs in all forms of tenses that are past, present, and future. The verb condition, which is mainly used, is indefinite; however, it is mandatory to use past participle in some structures.

For a better understanding of causative verbs examples, the following structure should be known:

Structure 1:

Form- Subject + Have/Get + Object + 3rd form of the verb.

Usage- These two causative verbs (Have & Get) are interchangeable in the structure. This structure means that someone does something for you when you are paying for the service, or you have/get something done.

In this form, it is not necessary to mention the person you got the service from because it’s simply unmistakable. 

Example-  1.) I had my book covered. 

                  2.) He got his shoes cleaned. 

Structure 2:

Form- Subject + Have + Person + 1st form of the verb. 

Usage- The structure means that you pay for the service or have someone do something. It is necessary to mention the person in this structure. This structure is more formal than structure three, almost the same. 

Example-  1.) She had her mom dry her hair. 

                  2.) I’m having my friends over tonight. 

Structure 3:

Form- Subject + Get + Person + To + 1st form of the verb. 

Usage- The Causative verb in this structure holds a convincing and persuading reach. Also, ‘to’ is used before the main verb to complete the sentence formed with Get. This structure means that you persuade, encourage, convince or get someone to do something. Structure 2 is neutral, while this is a direct one. 

Example-  1.) My niece got me to buy a new dress for her. 

                  2.) The thief got the cops to think he didn’t steal. 

Structure 4:

Form- Subject + Make + Person + 1st form of the verb. 

Usage- In this type of structure, the person does not have a choice, and you force or make someone to do something. Sentences can be both positive and negative.

Example-  1.) He made Taylor Swift do it. 

                  2.) The government made students protest. 

Structure 5:

Form- Subject + Let + Person + 1st form of the verb. 

Usage- Let is an irregular verb so that all forms would be the same. In this structure, you give permission or let someone do something. You don’t force anyone, and there is a choice. However, in negative sentences, there is no permission or choice. Refer to example 2.  

Example-  1.) My dad lets me drive the car. 

                  2.) My friend’s dog won’t let her tie him. 

Structure 6:

Form- Subject + Help + Person + (To) + 1st form of the verb. 

Usage- Help is an additional causative verb. It means to assist or help someone (to) do something. The ‘to’ before the main verb is optional and often used without it. You can include the preposition according to your fluency and preferences. 

Example-  1.) It helps me to forget my nightmares. 

                  2.) The officer helped the ducks cross the road. 

Active And Passive Causative Verbs:

Just like the average verb algorithm, causative verbs can also be in a passive sound or dynamic sound. Active voice can be described as done by someone or something. Meanwhile, Passive voice can be considered as done to somebody or something. 

Active causative verb examples

• I had him take my pictures

• She would have me write her assignments

• He got me to try the new dish

Passive causative verb example:

• He has my dog taken to the vet

• She got his clothes stitched

• I had my wall painted by him

Causative Verbs Exercises: 

The following are some causative verbs exercises:

Exercise 1: Use the correct structure of “Have” in a sentence. 

• I had them crying for me

Exercise 2: Make a sentence having a choice.

• My uncle let me buy chocolate with his money

Exercise 3: Is the sentence “She is getting on my nerves” correct?

• No, it is incorrect as it does not have a definite structure

  Conclusion:

  In the end we can say that the causative verbs are used when we want to talk to someone else about something that has been done for us. Causative verbs can  cause someone to do something by requesting, asking, paying, or forcing the person.