Causative Verbs
Causative Verbs are verbs that show someone or something causes another person to perform an action. In other words, the subject doesn’t perform the action directly but causes it to happen.
- She had her car washed. (She didn’t wash it herself; someone else did it.)
- The teacher made the students clean the board. (The teacher caused them to act.)
Active Causative: Subject + Causative Verb + Object + Base Verb
Example: I had him paint the wall.
Passive Causative: Subject + Causative Verb + Object + Past Participle
Example: I had the wall painted.
1. Have
Used when someone arranges for another person to do something.
Active: have + person + base verb
Passive: have + object + past participle
- I had my assistant book the tickets. (Active)
- I had my hair cut yesterday. (Passive)
2. Get
Similar to have but slightly more informal. It often implies persuasion or effort.
Structure: get + person + to + base verb / get + object + past participle
- He got his brother to repair the car. (Persuaded)
- She got her phone fixed. (Arranged for)
3. Make
Used when someone forces another person to do something.
Structure: make + person + base verb
- The teacher made the students stay late.
- His parents made him apologize.
No “to” is used after “make.”
4. Let
Used to express permission — to allow someone to do something.
Structure: let + person + base verb
- She let the kids play outside.
- My boss let me leave early.
No “to” is used after “let.”
5. Help
Used when someone assists another in doing something.
Structure: help + person + (to) + base verb
- She helped me (to) prepare the report.
- He helped the team (to) win the match.
“To” is optional after “help.”
Active Causative
The subject causes another person to do the action.
- I had my brother wash the car.
- She got the technician to fix the computer.
Passive Causative
The subject arranges for the action to be done (focus on the result, not the doer).
- I had the car washed.
- He got his roof repaired.
❌ Wrong: I made him to do it.
✅ Correct: I made him do it.
Do not use “to” after make.
❌ Wrong: I got him do it.
✅ Correct: I got him to do it.
Use “to” after get in active causatives.
❌ Wrong: I had my brother to paint the wall.
✅ Correct: I had my brother paint the wall.
No “to” after have in active causative.
- Have → Arrange for someone to do something.
- Get → Persuade or arrange (informal).
- Make → Force someone to act (no “to”).
- Let → Give permission (no “to”).
- Help → Assist (with or without “to”).
- Active: Subject causes the person to do the action.
- Passive: Subject causes the action to be done.