Definition
Causative verbs are used when one person causes, allows, persuades, helps, or arranges for another person to do an action, or when someone has something done by another person.
The most common causative verbs are:
- Make
- Let
- Get
- Have / Had
- Help
- Keep
1. Make
Meaning: Make is used when someone forces or compels another person to do something.
Structure (Active Voice)
Make + Object + Base Form of Verb
Examples
- Sam made me write a letter.
- The teacher made the students stay after school.
- The bad weather made us cancel the trip.
Common Mistake
❌ Sam made me to write a letter.
✅ Sam made me write a letter.
Note: After make in the active voice, use the base form of the verb (without to).
Structure (Passive Voice)
Be + Made + To + Base Form of Verb
Examples
- The guest was made to sit on the couch.
- The students were made to clean the classroom.
- He was made to apologise.
Common Mistake
❌ The guest was made sit on the couch.
✅ The guest was made to sit on the couch.
Note: In the passive voice, 'to' is required after made.
Common Expressions
Make + Reflexive Pronoun + Past Participle
- make oneself understood
- make oneself heard
Example
I can't speak good French, but I can make myself understood.
2. Let
Meaning: Let means to allow or permit someone to do something.
Structure
Let + Object + Base Form of Verb
Examples
- He let me enter the room.
- My parents let me drive the car.
- The teacher let the children play outside.
Common Mistake
❌ He let me to enter the room.
✅ He let me enter the room.
Note: Never use to after let.
3. Get
A. Get Something Done
Meaning: Used when someone performed the service for you.
Structure
Get + Object + Past Participle (V³)
Examples
- I got my car washed.
- She got her dress stitched.
- We got the house painted.
Common Mistakes
❌ I got my car to wash.
✅ I got my car washed.
❌ She got her enemy kill.
✅ She got her enemy killed.
B. Get Someone to Do Something
Meaning: Used when someone persuades or causes another person to do something.
Structure
Get + Person + To + Base Form of Verb
Examples
- She got her son to do his homework.
- I got my brother to repair the computer.
- They got the mechanic to fix the engine.
Common Mistake
❌ She got her son done his homework.
✅ She got her son to do his homework.
4. Have / Had
A. Have Someone Do Something
Meaning: Used to instruct, order, or assign someone to perform an action.
Structure
Have + Person + Base Form of Verb
Examples
- Ellen had her maid do the chores.
- The manager had the staff prepare the report.
- I had the electrician check the wiring.
Common Mistake
❌ Ellen had her maid to do the chores.
✅ Ellen had her maid do the chores.
B. Have Something Done
Meaning: Used when someone arranges for a service to be performed by another person.
Structure
Have + Object + Past Participle (V³)
Examples
- Max had his house painted.
- I had my watch repaired.
- She had her passport renewed.
Common Mistake
❌ Max had his house paint.
✅ Max had his house painted.
5. Help
Meaning: Help means to assist someone in doing something.
Structure
Help + Person + Base Form of Verb
Examples
- Alex helps me learn grammar.
- She helped me solve the problem.
- They helped us carry the luggage.
Common Mistake
❌ Alex helps me learning grammar.
✅ Alex helps me learn grammar.
Other Correct Structures
Help + Person + To + Base Form
- Alex helps me to learn grammar.
Help + Person + In + Gerund
- Alex helps me in learning grammar.
Note: All three structures are grammatically correct, although the base form is the most common in modern English.
Passive Voice
Be + Helped + To + Base Form
Example
He was helped to ride the camel.
Common Mistake
❌ He was helped ride the camel.
✅ He was helped to ride the camel.
6. Keep
Meaning: Keep is used to show that someone or something continues performing an action.
Structure
Keep + Person/Object + Present Participle (V-ing)
Examples
- I kept him waiting all day.
- The teacher kept the students writing.
- The noise kept the baby crying.
Common Mistake
❌ I kept him to wait all day.
✅ I kept him waiting all day.
