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.
