Causative verbs-The English verbs let, make, have, get and help are causative verbs because they cause something else to happen.
How to use Causative verbs-
Let- Permit something to happen
LET+PERSON/THING+VERB(base form)
Examples-
- I don’t let my kids watch violent movies.
- My boss doesn’t let me eat lunch at my desk.
Note- The past tense of “Let” is also “let”; there is no change. The verbs “allow” and “permit” are more formal ways to say “let.” However, with “allow” and “permit”, we use “to + verb”:
- I don’t allow my kids to watch violent movies.
- My boss doesn’t permit me to eat lunch at my desk.
MAKE = Force Or Require Someone To Take An Action
MAKE + PERSON + VERB (base form)
Examples:
- After Billy broke the neighbor’s window, his parents made him pay for it.
- The teacher made all the students rewrite their papers, because the first drafts were not acceptable.
Note: When using the verbs force and require, we must use “to + verb”.
- The school requires the students to wear uniforms.
“Require” often implies that there is a rule. - The hijacker forced the pilots to take the plane in a different direction.
“Force” often implies violence, threats, or extremely strong pressure
HAVE = Give Someone Else The Responsibility To Do Something
- HAVE + PERSON + VERB (base form)
- HAVE + THING + PAST PARTICIPLE OF VERB
Examples-
- I’ll have my assistant call you to reschedule the appointment.
- The businessman had his secretary make copies of the report.
- I’m going to have my hair cut tomorrow.
- We’re having our house painted this weekend.
- Bob had his teeth whitened; his smile looks great!
- My washing machine is broken; I need to have it repaired.
Note: In informal speech, we often use get in these cases:
- I’m going to get my hair cut tomorrow.
- We’re getting our house painted this weekend.
- Bob got his teeth whitened; his smile looks great!
- My washing machine is broken; I need to get it repaired.
GET = Convince/Encourage Someone To Do Something
- GET + PERSON + TO + VERB
Examples:
- How can we get all the students to arrive on time?
- My husband hates housework; I can never get him to wash the dishes!
- I was nervous about eating sushi, but my brother got me to try it at a Japanese restaurant.