Causative Sentences

In this lesson, we are going to learn causative sentences. The word causative might seem complicated to you at first, but it is relatively easy to learn and master. 

We usually get our things done by someone else by paying, requesting, asking, or forcing someone else. Causative sentences express such situations where one person (subject) causes someone to do something for them or someone else. 

It means that the action is not done by themselves, but the subject caused the action to happen. To form causative sentences, we use causative verbs. One can use causative sentences in any tense.

Causative verbs:

Causative verbs are those verbs which we use to show actions that someone does for you. These verbs show that something or someone is indirectly responsible for an action. Causative verbs are almost like passive. 

Causative verbs are: 

1. Get 
2. Have 
3. Make 
4. Let 
5. Help

These five causative verbs follow a bit different structure, which you will learn in this lesson. 

Get 

Structure 1:

The above structure defines “get something done.”

This construction means to convince someone to do something. 

1. You can use this structure in any tense, but the main verb will remain in past participle form.  

Example:

• I get my hair dressed every Tuesday. (present)
• I got my hair dressed every Tuesday. (past)
• I will get my hair dressed tomorrow. (Future)

1. You can also use any modal verbs with the causative verb “get”. Let’s look at some examples.

Example: 

• I can get my car washed today. 
• I should get my car washed today.
• I would get my car washed today.
• I could get my car washed today. 
• I might get my car washed today. 
• I must/ have to get my car washed today.

1. The structure 1 defines affirmative causative sentence, but you can change it to negative and question form. Let’s look at some examples: 

Example:

• Should you get your car washed today?
• I won’t get my car washed today. 
• He won’t get his hair dressed today. 
• Are they getting their machine fixed today?

Structure 2: 

This structure is a bit less neutral than the first one. It means to get someone to do something while the previous one was about to get something done. You have to use the verb's base form in this format and an additional ‘to’ before the main verb. Rest of the rules remain the same. You can use this format in any tense. 

Example: 

• I get the mechanic to fix my car. 
• She would get her sister to make her hairstyle. 
• John got Barbara to complete his assignment. 
• Will you get a professional photographer to take my pictures at the wedding ceremony at the lowest rates possible?

Have 

We use "have" as a causative verb in sentences to show that you give someone a responsibility or authority to do something. This causative verb has two structures which are almost similar to the forms of 'get'. 

Structure 1: Have something done.

This structure is the same as "get". You can use it in any tense and in any form (affirmative, negative, and interrogative). The only difference is that 'have' is a bit more formal than 'get'. Let's see some examples.

Example:  

• I will have my wardrobe rearranged tomorrow. 
• She is having her studio painted tomorrow. 
• Can I have my hair dyed today?

Structure 2:  Have someone do something. 

This structure is a bit different than the second structure of "get". You don't have to use the infinitive in this construction. 

Example: 

• I will have my assistant inform you about the meeting. 
• The teacher had his students use their laptops in the computer lab. 
• The professor had his teaching assistant make the final result. 

Make 

"Make" is another causative verb which is much stronger than 'have/ get'. It means "to require or force someone to do something". Make only has one structure which includes a person. It does not have a passive form like "get" and "have". 

Structure 

Example:

• She makes her kids do their homework on time. 
• My parents loved the old tv show they made me watch a full episode with them every night. 
• The psychiatrist made john come for regular follow up. 

You can use the synonyms “force or require” to form a causative sentence too.  While using ‘require’ and ‘force’ you have to add ‘to’ before the main verb. 

Let 

The causative verb "let" means "to allow or permit someone to do something".  It also means to allow something to happen. This verb has two synonyms, which are: allow or permit. There is a single structure to use "let" as a causative verb. 

You have to use the base form of the verb, and you have to mention the person (someone). Similar to other causative verbs, you can use it in any tense. Remember that past tense of "let" is also "let". The given format is in affirmative form. You can use it in negative and interrogative forms too. 

Example:

• I let my little sister play in my room. 
• She never lets me use her phone.
• Sarah’s dad will not let her stay at my place. 

Similarly, you can use ‘allow’ and ‘permit’ in causative sentences. You have to use ‘to + verb’.

Example:

• She will not allow my brother to drive the car. 
• Our teacher doesn’t permit us to sit in the class during free class. 

Help 

"Help" causative verb means "to assist/ help someone in doing something". It has two structures. The only difference between the two structures is that one uses a base of the verb and the other uses infinitive. The first structure is more common than the other one. But we will look at both. 

Structure 1: Assist someone do something.

 Example: 

• She helped me wash my clothes. 
• Will you help me learn basic math?
• Robert helped his friend prepare the presentation.

Structure 2: Assist someone to do something

Example:

• She helped me to wash my clothes. 
• Will you help me to learn basic math?
• Robert helped his friend to prepare the presentation.

Wrap up: 

These are the causative verbs that you can use to form causative sentences. All of them sound similar, but there is a bit difference in their meanings. You can use them in any tense. Remember the structure of each verb and try the synonyms of these verbs as well.