CAUSATIVE VERBS

CAUSATIVE VERBS

Make, Let, Help, Have, Get

Have

Remember that Have can be used as a causative. In a causative, a person does not perform an action directly.

Have has even less force and authority than Get.

Subject + have + someone + verb word

My English teacher had us give oral report

Subject + have + something + participle

I want to have this book renewed, please

Avoid using an infinitive or an-ing form instead of a verb word after a person in a causative with Have. Avoid using a verb word or an infinitive instead of a participle after a thing in a causative with have.

Examples:

Incorrect: Tom had a tooth fill.

Correct: Tom had a tooth filled.

Incorrect: Have you had your temperature taking yet?

Correct: Have you had your temperature taken yet?

Incorrect: They had their lawyer to change their will.

Correct: They had their lawyer change their will.

Incorrect: I like they way you had the beautician done your hair.

Correct: I like the way you had the beautician do your hair.

Incorrect: We are going to have our car fix before we go to Toronto.

Correct: We are going to have our car fixed before we go to Toronto.

Get

Remember that Get can be used as a causative. In a causative, a person does not perform an action directly.

Get has less force and authority than Make.

Subject + get + someone + infinitive

Let’s get David to go with us

Subject + get + something + participle

Let’s get our car fixed first

Avoid using a verb word instead on an infinitive after a person in a causative with Get.  Avoid using a verb word instead of a participle after things in a causative with Get.

Examples:

Incorrect: Do you think we can get Karen takes us to San Diego?

Correct: Do you think that we can get Karen to take us to San Diego?

Incorrect: I want to get the house paint before winter.

Correct: I want to get the house painted before winter.

Incorrect: Let’s get some of our money exchange for dollars.

Correct: Let’s get some of our money exchanged for dollars.

Incorrect: Nora got her mother’s wedding dress to alter so that it fit perfectly.

Correct: Nora got her mother’s wedding dress altered so that it fit perfectly.

Incorrect: We will have to get someone fixing the phone right away.

Correct: We will have to get someone to fix the phone right away.

Make

Remember that Make can be used as a causative. In a causative, a person does not perform an action directly. The person causes it to happen by forcing another person to do it.

Subject + make + someone + verb word

His mother made him take his medicine

Subject + make + something + verb word

I made the machine work

Avoid using an infinitive or an-ing form instead of a verb word after a person or thing in a causative with Make.

Examples:

Incorrect: She made the baby to take a nap.

Correct: She made the baby take a nap.

Incorrect: Professor Rogers didn’t make us typed up our lab reports.

Correct: Professor Rogers didn’t make us type up our lab reports.

Incorrect: Are you going to make your daughter to work part time in the store this summer?

Correct: Are you going to make your daughter work part time in the store this summer?

Incorrect: I can’t seem to make this dishwasher running.

Correct: I can’t seem to make this dishwasher run.

Incorrect: Patsy makes everyone doing his share around the house.

Correct: Patsy makes everyone do his share around the house.

Let

Remember that Let can be used as a causative. In a causative, a person does not perform an action directly. With Let, a person gives permission for another person to do it.

Subject + let + someone + verb word

His mother let him go to school

Subject + let + something + verb word

I am letting this machine cool

Avoid using an infinitive or an –ing form instead of a verb word after a person or thing in a causative with LET.

Examples:

Incorrect: Professor Baker let us to write a paper instead of taking a final exam.

Correct: Professor Baker let us write a paper instead of taking a final exam.

Incorrect: When I was learning to drive, my Dad let me using his car.

Correct: When I was learning to drive, my Dad let me use his car.

Incorrect: Would you let us the borrow your notes?

Correct: Would you let us borrow your notes?

Incorrect: Larry is so good-hearted, he lets people took advantage of him.

Correct: Larry is so good hearted, he lets people take advantage of him.

Incorrect: Don’t let that bothers you.

Correct: Don’t let that bother you.

Help

Remember that Help can be used as a causative. In accusative, a person does not perform an action directly. With Help, a person assists another person to do it.

Subject + help + someone/something + verb word/infinitive

He is helping me type my paper.

He is helping me to type my paper.

Avoid using an –ing form instead of a verb word or an infinitive after a person in a causative with Help.

Examples:

Incorrect: Her husband always helps her that she does the laundry.

Correct: Her husband always helps her do the laundry.

Or, Her husband always helps her to do the laundry.

Incorrect: Don’t you help each other the study for tests?

Correct: Don’t you help each other study for tests?

or, Don’t you help each other to study for tests?

Incorrect: My teacher helped me getting this job.

Correct: My teacher helped me get this job.

or, My teacher helped me to get this job.

Incorrect: Bob said that he would thelp our finding the place.

Correct: Bob said that he would help us find the place.

Or, Bob said that he would help us to find the place.

Incorrect: This book should help you understanding the lecture.

Correct: This book should help you understand the lecture.

Or, This book should help you to understand the lecture.