Overview
This lesson defines and explains the English causative structure, covering both active and passive forms using verbs like "have," "make," "let," and "get."
Causative Fundamentals
The causative voice indicates that the subject causes someone or something (an agent) to perform an action for them. It involves a specific sentence structure that differs from regular sentences.
Sentence Structure
Causative sentences include:
- Subject: The entity causing the action.
- Causative Verb: (e.g., have, make, let, get) carries the tense.
- Agent: The person or thing performing the action.
- Main Verb: The action itself.
- Object: The recipient of the action.
Causative Verb Meanings & Usage
The four most common causative verbs are:
- Have: Implies commissioning or paying for a service.
- Example: "I will have the painter paint my house."
- Make: Suggests forcing or compelling someone to act.
- Example: "I will make my little brother clean my room."
- Get: Indicates persuading or convincing someone.
- Example: "I will get my sister to do my laundry."
- Let: Means giving permission or allowing.
- Example: "Cal let his friend borrow his car."
Active Causative Form
This form focuses on the subject causing the agent to act.
- Pattern: Subject + Causative Verb (tensed) + Agent + Main Verb (+ Object).
- Main Verb Form:
- Use a base verb after "have," "make," and "let."
- Use an infinitive (to + base verb) after "get."
- Examples:
- "I had the barber cut my hair." (Have)
- "Sam made her boyfriend cut his hair." (Make)
- "Jane got her sister to sew her a dress." (Get)
- "You should have the school call the boy's parents." (Have)
Passive Causative Form
This form focuses on the object receiving the action, with the agent often omitted as it's either obvious or unimportant.
- Pattern: Subject + Have/Get (tensed) + Object + Past Participle (+ Agent).
- Causative Verbs: Typically only "have" and "get" are used in the passive causative.
- Agent: Usually optional and omitted.
- Examples:
- "Bill had his house painted." (The painter is implied.)
- "I get my groceries delivered." (The delivery person is not specified.)
- "I had my homework done for me." (Someone else completed it.)
Causative Structures Summary
| Type | Causative Verb | Meaning/Nuance | Form Pattern | Example |
|---|
| Active | have | commission/pay | S + have (tense) + agent + base V (+ obj) | I have the barber cut my hair. |
| Active | make | force | S + make (tense) + agent + base V (+ obj) | Sam made her boyfriend cut his hair. |
| Active | get | persuade | S + get (tense) + agent + to + base V | Jane got her sister to sew her a dress. |
| Active | let | allow/permit | S + let (tense) + agent + base V (+ obj) | Cal let his friend borrow his car. |
| Passive | have | receive service | S + have (tense) + object + past participle (+ agent) | Bill had his house painted. |
| Passive | get | receive service | S + get (tense) + object + past participle (+ agent) | I get my groceries delivered. |
Key Terms
- Causative: A grammatical structure where the subject causes an agent to perform an action.
- Agent: The person or thing carrying out the action for the subject.
- Base Verb: The bare infinitive form (e.g., cut, clean).
- Infinitive: "To" + base verb (e.g., to sew).
- Past Participle: Verb form used in passive constructions (e.g., painted, delivered).