Dr. Esther de la Peña epena@uco.

es

The Causative
in English
Contents
Understanding the Causative 1
Uses and Contexts 2
Practice 3
Further Practice 4

Conclusion 5
 1 Understanding the Causative
The Causative is a grammatical structure used to indicate that one person causes
another person (or thing) to perform an action. Instead of performing the action
themselves, the subject arranges for, influences, or forces someone else to do it.
In English, causative constructions often use verbs such as:
• Make (force or require someone to do something)
• Have (arrange for someone to do something)
• Get (persuade or convince someone to do something)
• Let (allow someone to do something)
Each of these verbs has slightly different meanings and structures, which we will
examine below.
Uses & Contexts
A. Causative with "Make"
Structure:
Subject + make + object + base verb
Used to express forcing, requiring, or compelling
someone to do something.
Examples:
The teacher made the students write an essay.
The movie made me cry.
Incorrect: The teacher made the students to write an essay. (After
make, we do not use to before the verb.)
Uses & Contexts
B. Causative with "Have"
Structure:
Subject + have + object + base verb (when active)
Subject + have + object + past participle (when passive)
Used when someone arranges for another person to do
something, often in professional or service situations.
Examples (Active):
She had the plumber fix the sink. (She arranged for the
plumber to do the work.)
I had my assistant schedule the meetings.
Examples (Passive):
I had my hair cut yesterday. (Someone else cut my hair.)
We had the house painted last summer.
Uses & Contexts
C. Causative with "Get"
Structure:
Subject + get + object + to-infinitive (when active)
Subject + get + object + past participle (when passive)
Used when someone persuades, convinces, or arranges
for someone to do something.
Examples (Active):
She got her brother to help her with homework. (She
convinced him to help.)
We got the waiter to bring us extra napkins.
Examples (Passive):
I got my car washed at the new car wash.
He got his phone fixed at the repair shop.
Uses & Contexts
D. Causative with "Let"
Structure:
Subject + let + object + base verb
Used when giving permission to someone to do something.
Examples:
My parents let me stay out late. (They allowed me to stay
out.)
The teacher let the students leave early.
Incorrect: My parents let me to stay out late. (No to after
let.)
Uses & Contexts
E. Causative in Different Contexts
1. Formal vs. Informal Usage
• "Have" is often used in formal or professional settings (e.g., "I
had my lawyer review the contract.")
• "Get" is more common in informal speech (e.g., "I got my
friend to help me.")
• "Make" implies stronger force or control (e.g., "The manager
made the staff work late.")
• "Let" always suggests permission or allowance (e.g., "My
boss let me take a day off.")
Uses & Contexts
2. Passive Causative for Services
• "Have" and "Get" are often used in service-related
situations.
I had my car repaired.
She got her nails done.
 COMMON MISTAKES: MAKING SENSE
Common Mistake Correct Version Explanation

She made me to cry. She made me cry. No "to" after "make".

I had my friend to fix my I had my friend fix my

No "to" after "have".
laptop. laptop.

He got his assistant call the He got his assistant to call

"Get" needs "to-infinitive".
client. the client.

She let me to use her

She let me use her phone. No "to" after "let".
phone.
 3 Practice
• A. Fill in the blanks with the correct • B. Rewrite the sentences using the
causative verb (make, have, get, let). causative form.
1. The mechanic fixed my car. → I ______ my
1. My mom ______ me clean my room before car ______.
going out.
2. The teacher forced us to do extra
2. I ______ my hair cut at the new salon. homework. → The teacher ______ us
______ extra homework.
3. The teacher ______ the students take a
3. My parents allowed me to go to the party.
quiz. → My parents ______ me ______ to the
4. He ______ his friend carry his luggage. party.
5. The manager ______ the team work late. 4. She convinced her brother to lend her
money. → She ______ her brother ______
her money.
 3 Practice
• A. Fill in the blanks with the correct • B. Rewrite the sentences using the causative
causative verb (make, have, get, let). form.
1. My mom made me clean my room before 1. The mechanic fixed my car. → I had/ got my car
going out. fixed.
2. The teacher forced us to do extra homework.
2. I had my hair cut at the new salon.
→ The teacher made us do extra homework.
3. The teacher made the students take a 3. My parents allowed me to go to the party. →
quiz. My parents let me go to the party.
4. He got his friend carry his luggage. 4. She convinced her brother to lend her money.
5. The manager made the team work late. → She got her brother to lend her money.
 3 Practice
• Rewrite the sentences using a causative verb. • Choose the correct option (A, B, or C) to complete
• (Use make, have, get, or let in the correct form.) the sentences.
• The doctor told the nurse to check the patient’s • My boss _____ me stay late to finish the report.
temperature. A) made
→ The doctor __________. B) got
C) let
• I convinced my friend to lend me his car.
→ I __________. • I _____ my hair cut at the new salon.
A) let
• She arranged for a professional to decorate her house. B) had
→ She __________. C) made
• His parents allowed him to stay up late. • The teacher _____ the students take a test.
→ His parents __________. A) let
• The strict coach forced the players to run 10 laps. B) had
→ The coach __________. C) made
 3 Practice
• Rewrite the sentences using a causative verb. • Choose the correct option (A, B, or C) to
complete the sentences.
• Answers:
• Answers:
• had the nurse check the patient’s temperature.
• A) made
• got my friend to lend me his car.
• B) had
• had her house decorated.
• C) made
• let him stay up late.
• made the players run 10 laps.
 3 Further Practice
• Error Correction: Find and correct the • Sentence Transformation (Rewrite using
mistakes in the sentences below. the causative structure).
• She made me to apologize. → __________ • The teacher forced the students to rewrite
their essays.
• I had my assistant to send the emails. → → The teacher __________.
__________
• I arranged for someone to fix my laptop.
• The teacher let the students to leave → I __________.
early. → __________
• She convinced her sister to cook dinner.
• He got his phone fix. → __________ → She __________.
• We had our house paint last summer. → • His father didn’t allow him to drive the car.
__________ → His father __________.
 3 Further Practice
Corrected Sentences: Answers:
• She made me apologize. • made the students rewrite their essays.
• I had my assistant send the emails. • had my laptop fixed.
• The teacher let the students leave early. • got her sister to cook dinner.
• He got his phone fixed. • didn’t let him drive the car.
• We had our house painted last summer.
 3 Further Practice
• Mixed Exercises: Fill in the blanks with the correct causative verb
(make, have, get, or let) in the right form.
• I finally _____ my little brother _____ his toys. (convince)
• We _____ the waiter _____ extra napkins. (ask for a service)
• The boss _____ the employees _____ extra hours. (force)
• My parents won’t _____ me _____ a tattoo. (not allow)
• She _____ her hair _____ at an expensive salon. (arrange for a service)
 3 Further Practice
Mixed Exercises Answers:

• got, to pick up

• had, bring

• made, work

• let, get

• had, done
 5 Conclusion
The causative structure in English helps express
actions that someone makes, has, gets, or allows
another person to do. The choice of verb affects
meaning, ranging from forcing (make) to arranging
(have/get) and allowing (let). Understanding the use
of causatives improves fluency, especially when
discussing services, responsibilities, and influence.
Thank you

Dr. Esther de la Peña

epena@[Link]