Causal or Causative Verbs

Causal or Causative Verbs

Causative verbs are a type of verb that indicates that the subject of the sentence causes someone or something else to do an action. They express the idea of making someone or something do something. Causative verbs are typically used to describe situations where someone is responsible for causing an action to happen, even if they are not the one performing the action themselves.

In English, causative verbs often include verbs like have, get, make,  let,  allow and help. Out of these, have, get and make are mostly and  formally used as Causatives. Here are some examples:

1. Make: She made him clean his room.

2. Have: I had my car serviced.

3. Let: They let their children play outside.

4. Get: He got his hair cut.

5. Allow: The teacher allowed the students to work in groups.

6. Help: I help my brother do his homework.

In these examples, the subjects (she, I, they, he, the teacher,I) are causing someone or something else (him, my car, their children, his hair, the students, my brother) to perform the actions (clean his room, serviced, play outside, cut, work in groups) indicated by the verbs.

Causative verbs can be used in various tenses and forms to convey different meanings, such as causative with "to" + infinitive ("I made him go"), causative with the base form of the verb ("I had him go"), or causative with the past participle ("I got him to go"). The choice of causative verb and its construction depends on the context and the specific nuance the speaker wants to convey.

Stuctures of “ have”:

The causative verb "have" typically follows a structure where the subject causes someone else to do something for them. The basic structure of the causative verb "have" is:

(1) Subject+have+object+base form of the verb.

• Subject: The person or thing causing the action to happen.

• Have: The causative verb indicating that the subject is causing someone else to do something.

• Object: The person or thing being made to do the action.

• Base form of the verb: The action that the object is being made to do.

For example:

1. She has her assistant clean the office every morning.

   • Subject: She

   • Causative verb: has

   • Object: her assistant

   • Base form of the verb: clean

2. They had the plumber fix the leaky pipe.

   • Subject: They

   • Causative verb: had

   • Object: the plumber

   • Base form of the verb: fix

Examples:

1. She has her assistant clean the office every morning.

2. He has his friend help him move the furniture.

3. We have our children do their chores before watching TV.

4. The company has its employees attend a seminar next week.

(2) ‘Have” with past participle

the causative verb "have" is used in conjunction with the past participle form of the verb to indicate that someone else performs the action on behalf of the subject. When "have" is used in this way, it often implies that the action has been completed or will be completed in the future. The structure remains the same:

Subject+have+object+past participle form of the verb

He will have his car washed every next month.

He has his car washed every weekend.

He had his car washed last month.

• Subject: He

• Causative verb: will have/has/had

• Object: his car

• Past participle form of the verb: washed

In this sentence, "He" is causing someone else to wash his car. "Washed" is used as the past participle to indicate that the action of washing the car has been or had been or will be completed.

Examples:

1. She has her hair cut every month.

2. They have their house painted last week.

3. He has his shoes repaired by a cobbler.

4. We have our groceries delivered every Saturday.

5. The company has its employees undergo regular training sessions.

6. She will have her car serviced tomorrow.

7. They have their house painted last month.

8. He has his computer repaired by a technician.

(2) Causative verb –Get

The causative verb "get" is used to express the idea of causing someone to do something or arranging for something to happen. It is similar to other causative verbs like "have," "make," and "let." However, "get" often implies more of a sense of persuading or arranging rather than direct control or authority.

The structure of "get" as a causative verb typically follows this pattern:

Subject+get+object+to+base form of the verb ( formal and mostly)

Or in some cases ( as in past tense or in passive) , "get" can be followed directly by the base form of the verb without "to."

Subject+get+object+base form of the verb

• Subject: The person or thing causing the action to happen.

• Get: The causative verb indicating that the subject arranges or persuades for someone else to do something.

• Object: The person or thing being made to do the action.

• To : It is used before the base form of the verb.

• Base form of the verb: The action that the object is being made to do.

Examples:

1. She gets her children to do their homework every day.

   • Subject: She

   • Causative verb: gets

   • Object: her children

   • To: optional

   • Base form of the verb: do

2. They got their car fixed at the mechanic's.

   • Subject: They

   • Causative verb: got

   • Object: their car

   • Base form of the verb: fixed

3. He gets his employees to work overtime when necessary.

   • Subject: He

   • Causative verb: gets

   • Object: his employees

   • To: optional

   • Base form of the verb: work

More Examples:

1. She gets her brother to pick up groceries on his way home.

2. They got their friend to help them move furniture.

3. He gets his assistant to schedule appointments.

4. We got our neighbour to water the plants while we were away.

5. The manager gets his team to brainstorm ideas for the project.

(3) Causative verb – make

The causative verb "make" is used to indicate that someone forces or compels another person to do something. It implies that the subject exerts control or authority over the object, causing them to perform a particular action. "Make" is often used when the subject ensures that the action is completed, regardless of the willingness of the object to perform it.

Structure of causative ‘make’:

Subject+make+object+base form of the verb

In this structure:

• Subject: The person or thing causing the action to happen.

• Make: The causative verb indicating that the subject is compelling or forcing someone else to do something.

• Object: The person or thing being made to do the action.

• Base form of the verb: The action that the object is being made to perform.

For example:

• She made her children clean their rooms before going out.

• The teacher makes her students study for exams every day.

• He made his friend apologize for the mistake.

• They make their employees attend regular training sessions.

In these sentences, the subject (She, The teacher, He, They) is causing someone else (her children, her students, his friend, their employees) to perform the action indicated by the base form of the verb (clean, study, apologize, attend).

 (4) Causative Verb – let

The causative verb "let" is used to indicate permission or allowance for someone to do something. It implies that the subject gives consent or allows another person to perform an action. It shows the authority of the subject over the action being allowed.

 "Let" works in a sentence in a following way:

1. Formation: The structure is typically: Subject + let + Object + base form of the verb.

Example: She let her children play in the park.

Meaning: In this sentence, "she" (the subject) allows or permits her children (the object) to "play" (the action) in the park.

2. Usage: "Let" is commonly used when someone grants permission or gives consent for an action to be performed by someone else.

Example: "Let me know if you need any help." (Here, "me" is the object, and "know" is the action.)

3. Negation: The negative form of "let" is "not let" or "don't let."

Example: They did not let him join the team.

4. Past Tense: The past tense of "let" is "let."

Example: He let her borrow his car yesterday.

5. Implications: Using "let" often implies authority or control by the subject over the action being allowed.

Example: The teacher let the students leave early.

6. Indirect Object: Sometimes, the person being allowed or permitted can be included as an indirect object.

Example: She let me borrow her book. (Here, "me" is the indirect object.)

Examples of the causative verb "let" in present and future tenses:

1. She lets her children play in the park. (present)

2. She will let her children play in the park tomorrow. (Future)

3. She let her children play in the park yesterday. (Past)

(5) Causative verb- Allow

both "let" and "allow" can be used to express permission or giving someone the opportunity to do something, they have slightly different structures:

1. Let:

The structure is typically: Subject + let + Object + base form of the verb.

Example: She lets her children play in the park. (Subject: She, Object: her children, Verb: play)

2. Allow:

The structure is typically: Subject + allow + Object + to + base form of the verb.

Example: She allows her children to play in the park. (Subject: She, Object: her children, Verb: play)

The difference of Structures:

• Object Placement: In sentences with "let," the object comes immediately after the verb "let." In sentences with "allow," the object comes after the verb "allow" and is followed by "to" before the base form of the verb.

• Verb Form: After "let," the base form of the verb is used directly. After "allow," the base form of the verb is preceded by "to."

• Usage: "Let" is often used in a more informal context, and it implies a more direct permission or invitation. "Allow" is slightly more formal and can imply a broader sense of permission or authorization.

• Examples:

She lets her children play in the park. (informal, direct)

She allows her children to play in the park. (formal, slightly more general)

Both "let" and "allow" can be used interchangeably in many contexts, but the choice between them can depend on the formality of the situation or personal preference.

 (6) Causative verb: Help

The causative verb "help" is used to indicate that someone assists or aids another person in performing an action. It implies that the subject enables or makes it possible for someone else to do something. Here are some key points about the causative verb "help":

1. Usage: "Help" is commonly used in sentences where one person aids another in doing something. It often implies support or assistance in completing a task or achieving a goal.

2. Structure: The structure of sentences with "help" typically involves the subject, the verb "help," the person or thing being helped (the object), and the base form of the verb indicating the action being assisted.

   • Subject + help + object + base form of the verb

3. Examples:

1. 1. She helps her sister study for the exam.

   2. He helped his friend move into the new apartment.

   3. They are helping their neighbour clean the garage.

   4. We will help you understand the assignment.Top of FormTop of Form

Variations:

• Present tense: She helps her sister study.

• Past tense: He helped his friend move.

• Future tense: They will help their neighbour clean.

• Negative form: She didn't help her brother dohis homework.

Comparison with Other Causative Verbs:

The following causal verbs or causatives only take base form of the verb.

• "Make" implies coercion or force: She made her brother do the dishes.

• "Let" implies permission: He let his sister borrow his car.

• "Help" implies voluntary assistance: She helped her sister do her homework.