CAUSATIVE VERBS
Causative verbs are used to indicate that someone or something is causing something else to happen or to
be done. They are verbs that express the idea of causing something to happen or causing someone to do
something. Here’s a comprehensive overview of causative verbs:
1. Make: This is one of the most common causative verbs. It indicates that someone forces or compels another
person to do something.
Example: She made him clean the house.
2. Have: This implies that someone arranges for someone else to do something for them.
Example: I had my car serviced yesterday.
3. Get: Similar to “have”, but often implies more effort or persuasion.
Example: I got my hair cut yesterday.
4. Let: This indicates permission or allowance for someone to do something.
Example: She let her son play outside.
5. Allow: Similar to “let”, but more formal.
Example: The teacher allowed the students to use calculators during the exam.
6. Enable: This implies making it possible for someone to do something.
Example: The new software enables users to edit images more easily.
7. Cause: This directly indicates being the reason or cause for something to happen.
Example: His reckless driving caused the accident.
8. Force: Indicates compelling someone to do something against their will.
Example: The storm forced us to cancel the outdoor event.
9. Persuade: This implies convincing someone to do something.
Example: She persuaded him to join the club.
10. Encourage: Similar to “persuade”, but with a positive connotation.
Example: His parents encouraged him to pursue his passion for music.
11. Prompt: Indicates causing someone to take action or do something promptly.
Example: The deadline prompted her to finish the project.
12. Coerce: Implies using force or threats to make someone do something.
Example: The kidnappers coerced him into revealing the code.
13. Motivate: This implies inspiring or providing a reason for someone to do something.
Example: His success story motivated others to strive for excellence.
14. Compel: Indicates strong pressure or necessity to do something.
Example: The evidence compelled him to confess.
15. Entice: Implies luring or tempting someone to do something.
Example: The aroma of freshly baked cookies enticed him into the kitchen.
These causative verbs can be used in various tenses and forms depending on the context of the sentence.
They play a crucial role in expressing agency and causation in English sentences. Here’s how each causative
verb is typically formed in sentences:
1. Make: Subject + make + object + base form of the verb.
Example: She made him clean the house.
2. Have: Subject + have + object + past participle of the verb.
Example: I had my car serviced yesterday.
3. Get: Subject + get + object + past participle of the verb.
Example: I got my hair cut yesterday.
4. Let: Subject + let + object + base form of the verb.
Example: She let her son play outside.
5. Allow: Subject + allow + object + to-infinitive form of the verb.
Example: The teacher allowed the students to use calculators during the exam.
6. Enable: Subject + enable + object + to-infinitive form of the verb.
Example: The new software enables users to edit images more easily.
7. Cause: Subject + cause + object + to-infinitive form of the verb.
Example: His reckless driving caused the accident.
8. Force: Subject + force + object + to-infinitive form of the verb.
Example: The storm forced us to cancel the outdoor event. 9. Persuade: Subject + persuade + object + to-
infinitive form of the verb.
Example: She persuaded him to join the club.
10. Encourage: Subject + encourage + object + to-infinitive form of the verb.
Example: His parents encouraged him to pursue his passion for music.
11. Prompt: Subject + prompt + object + to-infinitive form of the verb.
Example: The deadline prompted her to finish the project.
12. Coerce: Subject + coerce + object + to-infinitive form of the verb.
Example: The kidnappers coerced him into revealing the code.
13. Motivate: Subject + motivate + object + to-infinitive form of the verb.
Example: His success story motivated others to strive for excellence.
14. Compel: Subject + compel + object + to-infinitive form of the verb.
Example: The evidence compelled him to confess.
15. Entice: Subject + entice + object + to-infinitive form of the verb.
Example: The aroma of freshly baked cookies enticed him into the kitchen.
These formations may vary slightly depending on the tense and structure of the sentence, but they provide a
general guideline for using causative verbs in English sentences.
Exercise. Rewrite each sentence using a causative construction with the verb “have” or “get”.
1. She cuts her own hair.
2. He fixes his own car.
3. They clean their own house.
4. She bakes her own cake.
5. He paints his own fence.
6. They build their own furniture.
7. She designs her own clothes.
8. He repairs his own computer.
9. They cook their own meals.
10. She mows her own lawn.
11. He cleans his own pool.
12. They plant their own garden.
13. She tutors her own children.
14. He washes his own car.
15. They groom their own pets.
Once you’ve rewritten the sentences, compare them with the provided solutions:
1. She has her hair cut by a professional.
2. He gets his car fixed by a mechanic.
3. They have their house cleaned by a maid.
4. She gets her cake baked by a pastry chef.
5. He has his fence painted by a contractor.
6. They get their furniture built by a carpenter.
7. She has her clothes designed by a fashion designer.
8. He gets his computer repaired by a technician.
9. They have their meals cooked by a chef.
10. She gets her lawn mowed by a landscaping service.
11. He has his pool cleaned by a pool maintenance company.
12. They get their garden planted by a landscaper.
13. She has her children tutored by a private tutor.
14. He gets his car washed at the car wash.
