What Are Causative Verbs in English?

How To Use Causative Verbs In English

LET = Permit Something To Happen

Grammatical structure:

• LET + PERSON/THING + VERB (base form)

Examples:

• I don’t let my kids watch violent movies.
• Mary’s father won’t let her adopt a puppy because he’s allergic to dogs.
• Our boss doesn’t let us eat lunch at our desks; we have to eat in the cafeteria.
• Oops! I wasn’t paying attention while cooking, and I let the food burn.
• Don’t let the advertising expenses surpass $1000.

Remember: The past tense of let is also let; there is no change!

Note: The verbs allow and permit are more formal ways to say “let.” However, with allow and permit, we use to + verb:

• I don’t allow my kids to watch violent movies.
• Our boss doesn’t permit us to eat lunch at our desks.

MAKE = Force Or Require Someone To Take An Action

Grammatical structure:

• MAKE + PERSON + VERB (base form)

Examples:

• After Billy broke the neighbor’s window, his parents made him pay for it.
• My ex-boyfriend loved sci-fi and made me watch every episode of his favorite show.
• The teacher made all the students rewrite their papers, because the first drafts were not acceptable.

Note: When using the verbs force and require, we must use to + verb.

• The school requires the students to wear uniforms.
  “Require” often implies that there is a rule.
• The hijacker forced the pilots to take the plane in a different direction.
  “Force” often implies violence, threats, or extremely strong pressure

HAVE = Give Someone Else The Responsibility To Do Something

Grammatical structure:

• HAVE + PERSON + VERB (base form)
• HAVE + THING + PAST PARTICIPLE OF VERB

Examples of grammatical structure #1:

• I’ll have my assistant call you to reschedule the appointment.
• The businessman had his secretary make copies of the report.

Examples of grammatical structure #2:

• I’m going to have my hair cut tomorrow.
• We’re having our house painted this weekend.
• Bob had his teeth whitened; his smile looks great!
• My washing machine is broken; I need to have it repaired.

Note: In informal speech, we often use get in these cases:

• I’m going to get my hair cut tomorrow.
• We’re getting our house painted this weekend.
• Bob got his teeth whitened; his smile looks great!
• My washing machine is broken; I need to get it repaired.

GET = Convince/Encourage Someone To Do Something

Grammatical structure:

• GET + PERSON + TO + VERB

Examples:

• How can we get all the employees to arrive on time?
• My husband hates housework; I can never get him to wash the dishes!
• I was nervous about eating sushi, but my brother got me to try it at a Japanese restaurant.
• The non-profit got a professional photographer to take photos at the event for free.

HELP = Assist Someone In Doing Something

Grammatical structure:

• HELP + PERSON + VERB (base form)
• HELP + PERSON + TO + VERB

After “help,” you can use “to” or not – both ways are correct. In general, the form without “to” is more common:

• He helped me carry the boxes.
• He helped me to carry the boxes.
• Reading before bed helps me relax.
• Reading before bed helps me to relax.