This is an old revision of the document!
Causative verbs
Definition
Causative verbs indicate that someone or something causes or enables something to happen.
Construction
These verbs can be used in any tense, or with modal verbs, according to the usual rules. It is important to learn whether they are followed by the bare infinitive or the infinitive with ‘to’.
Verb | Meaning | Construction |
---|---|---|
Subject + causative verb + object + bare infinitive | ||
let have make | to allow something to happen by not preventing it, or by giving permission.\\ To arrange for someone to do something To compel someone to do something | My boss lets me leave early. I’m letting my hair grow long. I’ll have my assistant send you a copy. They should make him pay for the damage. |
permit/allow get force require want / would like | to give permission to someone to do something – more formal than ‘let’; often used in the passive to arrange for or persuade someone to do something to compel someone to do something; stronger than ‘make’, often implying violence or strong pressure to order someone to do something, especially because of a rule or law to wish for something to happen | Subject + causative verb + object + infinitive The company permits all staff to take unpaid leave in the winter. They allow their children to stay out later at the weekend. I got my colleagues to help me. The robbers forced the bank staff to hand over the money. The airline requires all passengers to check in two hours before the flight. Gina wants Helen to help her. [Gina wants that I help her. ] Would you like me to come with you? [Would you like that I come with you? ] |
help | to make it possible or easier for someone to do something | Subject + ‘help’ + object + bare infinitive or infinitive She helped me (to) carry the bags. [more common without ‘to’] |
For example: At school, we were made to eat all our vegetables.
All visitors are required to show a valid form of ID.
Uses
There are various uses depending on the meaning of the verb. It is also important to note that the verbs in the table above might also have other meanings, and be used with other structures.
‘To have someone do something’ or ‘to get someone to do something’?
These are very similar but ‘get’ is more informal. Also, there can be a subtle difference in the meaning. ‘Have’ often means that someone uses their authority in order to make something happen:
The manager <color blue>had</color> the technician <color blue>fix</color> the problem right away.
And ‘get’ can suggest an element of persuasion.
I <color blue>got</color> Kevin to <color blue>represent</color> me at the meeting.
To have/get something done
This structure is also a form of the causative. The focus is often on the action rather than the person who does it.
Construction
‘to have’/’to get’ | + | object | + | past participle |
to have/get | the windows | cleaned |
‘Have’ and ‘get’ mean the same but ‘get’ is more informal. There are other subtle differences between them. This form has various uses – here are some examples:
Uses | Examples |
---|---|
Solving a problem | I need to have - get my brakes fixed. |
Paying someone to do something | We had the new ingredient tested and certified. [‘had’ is more common in the past] |
When something negative happens, not arranged by us | I had my car stolen last week. |