Definition
Causative verbs are used to show that a person causes, allows, persuades, or arranges for another person or thing to perform an action.
Common causative verbs include make, let, get, have, help, and keep.
1. Make
‘Make’ indicates that someone forces or compels another to do something.
Structure (active voice):
make + object + base form of verb
❌ Sam made me to write a letter.
✅ Sam made me write a letter.
Structure (passive voice):
be + made + to + base form of verb
❌ I was made write a letter.
✅ I was made to write a letter.
Special expressions:
- We also use past participle with ‘make’ in expressions like make oneself understood or make oneself heard:
- I can’t speak good French, but I can make myself understood.
2. Let
‘Let’ means to allow or permit someone to do something.
Structure:
let + object + base form of verb
❌ He let me to enter the room.
✅ He let me enter the room.
Note: Let is rarely used in the passive voice. Instead, allow is usually used.
- Active: They let me leave.
- Passive: I was allowed to leave.
3. Get
Get is used to arrange for someone to do a service or job for you.
Get + object+ past participle (someone does something for you)
- ❌ Incorrect: I got my car to wash.
- ✅ Correct: I got my car washed.
- ❌ Incorrect: She got her enemy kill.
- ✅ Correct: She got her enemy killed.
Structure 2:
Get is used to persuade, convince, or cause someone to do something.
Get + person + to + base form of verb (persuade someone to to do something)
- ❌ Incorrect: She got her son done his homework.
- ✅ Correct: She got her son to do his homework.
4. Have / Had
Have is used to ask, instruct or arrange for someone to do something.
structure
have + person + base form of verb
- ❌ Incorrect: Ellen had her maid to do the chores.
- ✅ Correct: Ellen had her maid do the chores.
structure 2:
Have is used to arrange for a service or job to be done.
have + thing + past participle
- ❌ Incorrect: Max had his house paint.
- ✅ Correct: Max had his house painted.
5. Help
‘Help’ is used to assist someone in doing something.
Structure (bare infinitive):
help + person + base form of verb
- ❌ Incorrect: Alex helps me learning grammar.
- ✅ Correct: Alex helps me learn grammar.
Other variations:
- With infinitive: Alex helps me to learn grammar.
- With gerund: Alex helps me in learning grammar.
Structure (passive voice):
be + helped + to + base form of verb
- ❌ Incorrect: He was helped ride the camel.
- ✅ Correct: He was helped to ride the camel.
6. Keep
‘Keep’ shows continuity or persistence of an action.
Structure:
keep + person + present participle (verb+ing)
- ❌ Incorrect: I kept him to wait all day.
- ✅ Correct: I kept him waiting all day.