Grammar & Usage

Causative Verbs:
Have, Let, Make
Usage
Causative verbs are used when someone is causing someone
else to do something (by forcing, allowing, asking, etc.).

Pattern
Subject + Have / Let / Make + Object + Base Verb
(person)   (any tense)        (person)  (no endings / no tense)

Examples
• The teacher had the students write essays in class.

• John’s parents are letting him stay out late tonight.

• She will make her son clean his room tomorrow.

• Did your boss have you work late last night?

• Our manager let us go home earlier than usual.

• The babysitter didn’t make Lisa finish her dinner.

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 Causative Verbs: Have, Let, Make
Grammar & Usage

Notes

Note #1 Note #4
What’s the difference in meaning? There are other verbs that have the meaning of
“cause,” but because they aren’t true causative
stronger make verbs, they take an infinitive verb instead of a base
verb. Some common verbs are, from strongest
have to weakest: force, cause, get, and allow.
weaker let • The coach got the players
to run around the track 25 times.
• Her parents forced her
to apply only to local colleges.
• The storm caused the water to rise.
Note #2
The subject and object of causative sentences
are usually people, but things are also possible.

• T he heavy rain made Note #5

the paint peel off the building.
Can causative sentences be passive? Yes!
• The phone message made him feel nervous.
The passive causative is quite common for services.
• We let the dogs run wild at the beach.
Here is the pattern:

Subject + Have / Get + Object + Past Participle

(person) (any tense) (thing)

Note #3 • He had his car fixed (by a mechanic).

• She is getting her hair cut.
The imperative verb form (no subject) is common • My sister will get her nails done.
with causative verbs, since both causatives and
imperatives are used for giving orders.

• H ave Mr. Smith call me.

• Let the dogs go outside after dinner.
• Make your secretary type out the report.

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