Causative Form
In English, the causative form is used
when we don't do something ourselves,
instead we arrange for someone else to
do it for us by paying, asking, or forcing
the person.
There are two kinds of causative
structure: - Active Causative
- Passive Causative
The causative verbs are: have, get, make.
Have/get
- used when we want someone to do something
- taking active or passive forms of causative
Active:
S + have + O (usually person) + verb in the simple
form (bare infinitive) …..
Rifki has Purwa do the homework.
S + get + O (usually person) + verb in infinitive (to V)
…..
Rifhi gets Purwa to do the homework.
Passive:
S + have/get + O (usually thing) + verb in past
participle (V3) …..
Rifki has/gets homework done by Purwa.
Get vs. Have
Sometimes "get someone to do
something" is interchangeable with
"have someone do something," but
these expressions do not mean exactly
the same thing.
Examples:
I got the mechanic to check my brakes.
At first the mechanic didn't think it was
necessary, but I convinced him to check
the brakes.
I had the mechanic check my brakes.
I asked the mechanic to check the
brakes.
Make
Make is used when we want to force someone to do
something.
- taking active forms of causative
Active:
S + make + O (usually person) + verb in the
simple form (bare infinitive) …..
My mother makes me do my home work.
She made her son clean his bedroom.
Did somebody make you wear that ugly hat?
Let
let is usually added to the list of causative
verb in grammar textbooks. It is not actually
causative. It means allow or permit.
Active:
S + let + O + verb in the simple form (bare
infinitive) …..
My father lets me choose my own future carrier.
I let John drive my new car.
Will your parents let you go to the party?
I don't know if my boss will let me take the day
off.
Help
not actually a causative verb either, but generally considered as
causative verb
Active:
S + help + O + verb in the simple form
(bare infinitive) …..
Active:
S + help + O + verb in infinitive (to
infinitive) …..
- Sally helps Mary wash the dishes.
John helped the homeless find the right shelter.
John helped the homeless to find the right shelter.
Need & Want
Need and want may be used in
passive causative sentences. In some
cases, the passive causative verb
(have/get) may be dropped
altogether.??
I need/want to have my hair cut.
I need/want to get my hair cut.
I need/want my hair cut.
