Causative verbs

Causative verbs

1. Let

   • Structure: LET + PERSON/THING + VERB (base form)
   • Examples:
     • John let me drive his new car.
     • I don't know if my boss will let me take the day off.

2. Make

   • Strucure: MAKE + PERSON + VERB (base form)
   • Examples:
     • Did somebody make you wear that ugly hat?
     • She made her children do their homework.

3. Have

   • Structure:
     • HAVE + PERSON + VERB (base form)
     • HAVE + THING + PAST PARTICIPLE OF VERB
   • Examples:
     • The businessman had his secretary make copies of the report.
     • Please have your secretary fax me the information.
     • Bob had his teeth whitened; his smile looks great!
     • I’m going to have my hair cut tomorrow.

4. Get

   • Structure: GET + PERSON + TO + VERB
   • Examples:
     • The non-profit got a professional photographer to take photos at the event for free.
     • How can parents get their children to read more?
     • My husband hates housework; I can never get him to wash the dishes!

5. Help

   • Structure:
     • HELP + PERSON + VERB (base form)
     • HELP + PERSON + TO + VERB
   • Examples
     • Reading before bed helps me relax.
     • He helped me carry the boxes.

6. we use causative verbs to show that someone or something caused something to happen