Course on The Causative - TOEIC® Preparation

The causative in English is a set of constructions that allow expressing the idea that a person has something done by someone or has something done to an object.

For example, in the sentence “I had my car washed,” it does not say who washed the car, only that I had this washing done by someone.

It is generally used with the verbs below, each verb having slightly different nuances.

• Make: force or compel someone to do something
• Have: have something done (often by a professional or third party)
• Get: persuade someone, or ensure that someone does something
• Let: allow, permit someone to do something
• Help: help someone do something

There are 2 possible sentence forms in the causative, which we will detail in the next 2 sections:

1. When the person who must do the action is not mentioned

In this category, the focus is on the action itself or the result, without specifying who performs this action. This form is mainly used for services, professional tasks, and situations where the identity of the executor is not essential.

A. Have + object (thing) + past participle

This form is used to indicate that a service or an action has been performed for the subject by someone else. This form is generally used in formal or neutral contexts.

• I had my car washed yesterday.

• She will have her hair cut before the party.

• They had their house painted last summer.

B. Get + object (thing) + past participle

"Get" is more informal than have, it is often used when there is a notion of effort, negotiation, or persuasion for the action to be performed.

• I got my phone fixed this morning.

• She's getting her car cleaned now.

• We'll get the project finished by the end of the week.

C. Will need + object (thing) + past participle

This form emphasizes the future obligation to obtain the result or the service.

• The documents will need to be signed by tomorrow.

• The house will need to be painted after the winter.

D. Want + object (thing) + past participle

This form expresses a desire or a preference for an action to be performed by someone else.

• I want this letter typed immediately.

• She wants her hair dyed for the event.

• They want the windows cleaned before the guests arrive.

2. When the person who must do the action is mentioned

In this category, it is specified who is responsible for executing the action. This allows emphasizing the actor and indicating whether this action is performed with permission, constraint, or persuasion.

A. Have + complement (person) + base verb

This form allows asking or giving responsibility to a person to perform an action.

• I had the gardener trim the bushes.

• She had her assistant book the flights.

B. Make + complement (person) + base verb

This form indicates that someone is compelled or forced to do something.

• The teacher made the students redo the exercise.

• My parents made me apologize.

C. Let + complement (person) + base verb

This form allows authorizing someone to perform an action.

• My parents let me go to the concert.

• He let his friend borrow his bike.

D. Will/Would + complement (person) + base verb

This form allows proposing or insisting for an action to be performed in the future.

• I will have you know the truth.

• Would you let me explain?

E. Other verbs

Some verbs also allow mentioning a person with a clear intention (persuade, allow, force, etc.):

Conclusion

The causative allows expressing that someone else performs an action, either by focusing on the action itself or on the person who performs it.

Remember the two main categories:

• Without mentioning the person: The focus is on the result
  • I had my car fixed.
• By mentioning the person: It specifies who acts and why
  • I made him apologize.

Each verb brings a nuance: have (entrust), get (persuade), make (force), let (authorize).

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