🎓 Prepared by students from Boğaziçi University

What are Causative Structures?

Causative structures express the idea that one person causes, permits, or compels another person to perform an action. They use verbs like 'have,' 'get,' 'make,' 'let,' and 'allow' to show who is doing the causing and who is performing the resulting action.

Short answer

Causative structures use 'have,' 'get,' 'make,' 'let,' or 'allow' + object + infinitive to show that one person causes another to perform an action or permits it to happen.

Causative Verbs and Their Meanings

Direct Causation (compel/force)

•Make: 'He made me work.' (forced me)
•Have: 'She had him clean the house.' (arranged/instructed)

Permission/Indirect Causation

•Let: 'They let us go home.' (allowed us)
•Allow: 'She allowed them to leave.' (permitted)

Step-by-step worked examples

The teacher made the students stay after class.

Causative: make + object + infinitive
'made' = past tense of 'make'
'the students' = object (who is affected)
'stay' = base form infinitive (action performed)
Meaning: The teacher forced/compelled the students to stay.

I got the mechanic to repair my car.

Causative: get + object + infinitive
'got' = past tense of 'get'
'the mechanic' = object
'to repair' = full infinitive (after 'get')
Meaning: I arranged for the mechanic to repair my car.

She let her children play in the park.

Causative: let + object + infinitive
'let' = past tense of 'let'
'her children' = object
'play' = base form infinitive (after 'let')
Meaning: She permitted/allowed her children to play.

Flashcards

Quick quiz

Q1.The boss had the employees ___ overtime.

Correct answer: B. After 'have,' use base infinitive: 'had the employees work.'

Q2.She got her friend ___ the tickets for the concert.

Correct answer: C. After 'get,' use full infinitive: 'got her friend to buy.'

Q3.Parents usually let their children ___ to bed later on weekends.

Correct answer: B. After 'let,' use base infinitive: 'let their children go.'

Q4.What is the difference between 'make' and 'allow'?

Correct answer: B. 'Make' compels: 'He made me go.' 'Allow' permits: 'She allowed me to go.'

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Common mistakes

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Using full infinitive after 'make': 'He made me to go.' — Correct: Use base infinitive: 'He made me go.'

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Using base infinitive after 'get': 'I got him go.' — Correct: Use full infinitive: 'I got him to go.'

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Confusing 'make' and 'let': 'She made me leave' when meaning she permitted. — Correct: Use 'let': 'She let me leave.' (permission, not force)

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Using a gerund after causative verbs: 'The teacher had students studying.' — Correct: Use infinitive: 'The teacher had students study.'

FAQ

What are causative structures?

Structures using 'have,' 'get,' 'make,' 'let,' or 'allow' + object + infinitive to express that one person causes or permits another to perform an action.

When do you use 'have' vs. 'make'?

'Have' implies arrangement or instruction; 'make' implies force or compulsion: 'I had him fix it' vs. 'I made him fix it.'

What infinitive form follows each causative verb?

'Have,' 'make,' 'let' use base infinitive. 'Get' and 'allow' use full infinitive (with 'to').

Can you use causatives in all tenses?

Yes, the causative verb can be in any tense: 'has,' 'had,' 'will have,' 'would have.' The infinitive form doesn't change.