Category: Class

Causative verbs are action words that cause another thing to happen. The verbs let, help, have, make and get are causative verbs.

The following examples show the usage and purpose of causative verbs in English sentences.

How To Use Causative Verbs in English

LET = Allow something to happen

Structure:

LET + PERSON/THING + base form of the VERB

Examples:

I don’t let my toddler play at the dining table.

She doesn’t let us go on a trip alone.

They won’t let her see John again.

I let all these unfortunate events happen.

Don’t let them get to you.

Good to know: Let is also the past tense of let.

If the aim is to express a more formal sentence, the verbs allow and permit can be used. With the use of allow and permit, we have to use to + verb:

I don’t allow my toddler to play at the dining table.

She doesn’t permit us to go on a trip alone.

MAKE = Require or Force Someone To Do Something

Grammatical structure:

MAKE + PERSON + base form of the VERB

Examples:

They made him clean the entire house by himself. Afterall, he was the one who made all the mess.

My teacher made me read seven novels in one month.

Just the same with the use of allow and permit, we must also use to + verb when using the verbs force and require.

The company requires the employees to wear their company ID.
“Require” is usually used when there is a rule that has to be followed.

She was forced to surrender all her valuables at knife point.
“Force” is usually used when there is coercion and a threat of violence.

HAVE = Hand over The task to Someone else

Structure:

• HAVE + PERSON + base form of the VERB
• HAVE + THING + PAST PARTICIPLE of the verb

Examples of structure #1:

• The leader had his assistant arrange the meetings for his colleagues.
• I’ll have my business partner send you an email regarding the proposal.

Examples of structure #2:

• I’m going to have my nails done later.
• I need to have my clogged sink fixed soon.

Good to know:  We often use “get” in informal speech.

• I’m going to get my nails done later.
• I need to get my clogged sink fixed soon.

GET = Persuade/Motivate Someone To Do Something

Structure:

GET + PERSON + TO + VERB

Examples:

• My friends got me to wear a summer dress that is not my style.
• The couple got a wedding coordinator to take care of all their wedding needs.

HELP = Be of Assistance to Someone/Aid Someone in Doing Something

Structure:

• HELP + PERSON + base form of the VERB
• HELP + PERSON + TO + VERB

It is unnecessary but “to” can be used after the verb “help”. It is more common not to use “to” after “help”.

• They helped her clean her house.
• They helped her to clean her house.
• Sally helps me do my homework every night.
• Sally helps me to do my homework every night.

It

It is a pronoun used to refer to a specific thing, fact, place, and situation.

Example:

I visited John’s farm. It was big and clean.

My dog ate my biscuit. It was probably hungry.

We also use it to refer to time, distance, and weather.

Example:

What time is it now?

How far is it from here to your hometown?

It was rainy yesterday.

That, This

That is used to refer to an object that is far from the speaker.

Example:

That red box is used to keep my children’s toys. (Pointing to a box)

This is used to refer to an object which is close to the speaker.

Example:

This is my latest invention. (The speaker is either holding the object or has the object near him/her)

These, Those

These – used to refer to objects that are near the speaker.

Example:

These samples are well-made.

Those – used to refer to objects that are far from the speaker.

Example:

Those apples in that stall look delicious!

Sometimes, we use this, that, these, and those, as pronouns.

Example:

Who owns this (book)?

What are these (fruits)?

Please hand me those (boxes)

When or If

Look at the following sentences:

a. We will go home when it stops raining.
b. If it stops raining, we will go home.

What is the difference between the two sentences?

• When is used for things which we are sure to happen.

Example:

I will go jogging this afternoon. (Plan) When I go jogging, I will drop by Susan’s place.

• If is used for things that will possibly happen.

Example:

Don’t call me if I am late this evening. My meeting might get extended.

If the company doesn’t call me, I will send them an email.

I might attend the conference tomorrow. If I attend the conference, I will try to find a chance to show our new proposal.

Going back to the two sentences presented at the beginning, sentence A implies that the rain is sure to stop, thus they will go home (after it stops). Sentence B, on the other hand, implies that the speaker is not sure whether the rain will stop later or not.

Will

• We use will + verb when we make an impulse decision or decide something at the
moment of speaking

Example: I will call Suzanne about this afternoon’s product launch. Thank you for
reminding me.

• We also often use will + verb with the phrase, I think.

Example: I think I will hand in my report after the meeting. I don’t want to be late in
submitting it.

• We often use will in the following situations:

➢ Offering to do something
Example: I will help you plan tomorrow’s meeting.

➢ Agreeing to do something
Example: Yes, I will call him as soon as I complete my report.

➢ Asking someone to do something
Example: Will you call me when you get home?

WON’T

• Won’t or will not is the negative of will. This is often used in spoken English.
Example: I won’t go home early today.

• We also use won’t to say that somebody refuses to do something.
Example: My manager won’t listen to my explanation. What should I do?