Cuasative-Introduction
- 1. They are called causative verbs because they cause something else to happen. LET = PERMIT SOMETHING TO HAPPEN LET + PERSON/THING + VERB (base form) Examples: I don’t let my kids watch violent movies. Mary’s father won’t let her adopt a puppy because he’s allergic to dogs. Our boss doesn’t let us eat lunch at our desks; we have to eat in the cafeteria. Oops! I wasn’t paying attention while cooking, and I let the food burn. Don’t let the advertising expenses surpass $1000. Remember: The past tense of let is also let; there is no change! Note: The verbs allow and permit are more formal ways to say “let.” However, with allow and permit, we use to + verb: I don’t allow my kids to watch violent movies. Our boss doesn’t permit us to eat lunch at our desks.
- 2. MAKE = FORCE OR REQUIRE SOMEONE TO TAKE AN ACTION MAKE + PERSON + VERB (base form) Examples: After Billy broke the neighbor’s window, his parents made him pay for it. My ex-boyfriend loved sci-fi and made me watch every episode of his favorite show. The teacher made all the students rewrite their papers, because the first drafts were not acceptable. Note: When using the verbs force and require, we must use to + verb. The school requires the students to wear uniforms. “Require” often implies that there is a rule. The hijacker forced the pilots to take the plane in a different direction. “Force” often implies violence, threats, or extremely strong pressure
- 3. HAVE = GIVE SOMEONE ELSE THE RESPONSABILITY TO DO SOMETHING HAVE + PERSON + VERB (base form) HAVE + THING + PAST PARTICIPLE OF VERB Examples of grammatical structure #1: I’ll have my assistant call you to reschedule the appointment. The businessman had his secretary make copies of the report. Examples of grammatical structure #2: I’m going to have my hair cut tomorrow. We’re having our house painted this weekend. Bob had his teeth whitened; his smile looks great! My washing machine is broken; I need to have it repaired. Note: In informal speech, we often use get in these cases: I’m going to get my hair cut tomorrow. We’re getting our house painted this weekend. Bob got his teeth whitened; his smile looks great! My washing machine is broken; I need to get it repaired.
- 4. GET = CONVINCE/ENCOURAGE SOMEONE TO DO SOMETHING GET + PERSON + TO + VERB Examples: How can we get all the employees to arrive on time? My husband hates housework; I can never get him to wash the dishes! I was nervous about eating sushi, but my brother got me to try it at a Japanese restaurant. The non-profit got a professional photographer to take photos at the event for free. HELP = ASSIST SOMEONE IN DOING SOMETHING Grammatical structure: HELP + PERSON + VERB (base form) HELP + PERSON + TO + VERB After “help,” you can use “to” or not – both ways are correct. In general, the form without “to” is more common: He helped me carry the boxes. He helped me to carry the boxes. Reading before bed helps me relax. Reading before bed helps me to relax.