Causative structures are used to show that one person or thing causes another person or thing to do something. The causative verbs MAKE, LET, HAVE, and HELP are followed by the BASE FORM of the verb (the plain infinitive). They have alternate structures that are followed by the full infinitive. The active forms are listed in the table below along with their alternate verb phrases that require the full infinitive. Note that the verb help can go either way.
ACTIVE MEANING: CAUSATIVE VERB + AGENT + INFINITIVE [The agent is the subject of the infinitive.]
Causative verb + plain infinitive (base)
Alternate verb with full infinitive (to+base)
Example Sentences
make her LAUGH
Force him TO FIGHT
The clown made her laugh. The military forced him to fight.
let her CHOOSE
Allow her TO CHOOSE
Her parents let her choose her own boyfriend. Her parents allowed her to choose her boyfriend.
have him COME
Invite him TO COME get him TO COME hire him TO DO something
Ann had Mike come to the party. She invited him to come. The school had Mike install the computers. They hired Mike to install the computers. They got his brother to fix them.
help him Bathe
help him TO BATHE
The nurse helped the old man bathe. The nurse helped him to bathe.
PASSIVE MEANING:
CAUSATIVE VERB + OBJECT + PAST PARTICIPLE OF ACTION VERB
SUBJECT
CAUSATIVE VERB
OBJECT
PAST PARTICIPLE OF ACTION VERB
The college
HAD
new computers
INSTALLED.
The apartment manager
HAD
all the carpets
CHANGED.
Mary Ann
GOT
her fingers
CAUGHT in the lawn mower.
Alice
GOT
her hair
TANGLED in the curling iron.
The sentences in the table below have causative verbs. Select the correct infinitive form after each verb.
The Commission on Safety and Abuse in America's Prisons helps the public about prison conditions. NoteBoth the plain infinitive (base) and the full infinitive (to+ base) are possible after the causative verb help.
Prison guards are not allowed derogatory remarks or racial epithets toward prisoners.
The state should make prisons the level of violence that occurs within them.
Prison supervisors should help officers non-forceful ways to reduce conflicts.
Prisons should let incarcerated mothers with their children in positive ways.
Prison supervisors should make guards prisoners with respect.
The appeals board made the serial killer in solitary confinement. They didn't let him visitors.
Prisons allow most inmates classes while in prison.
They get teachers into the prison to teach the inmates.
State prisons also have doctors to treat sick prisoners.
The guards made the prisoners to their cells for a lockdown.
The guards didn't let the unruly prisoners to the exercise yard.
The guards couldn't force Mack his meals.
Prisons have some inmates on supervised crews outside the prison walls, which enables them to society.
PASSIVE MEANING Explain what happened by using causative verb HAD or GOT followed by the OBJECT of the active verb + PAST PARTICIPLE. Use the causative verb given at the end of the sentence and write the missing sentence elements.
1. The little girl crushed her fingers in the car door. /get/
The little girl in the car door.
2. Doctors amputated Sue's leg because of complications from diabetes. /have/
Sue had because of complications from diabetes.
3.
The college administration sealed off the entire campus during the SARS epidemic. /have/
The college administration during the SARS epidemic.
4. They tested the prisoners' blood to make sure they didn't have AIDS. /have/
The prisoners to make sure they didn't have AIDS.
5. The hospital decorated the pediatrics ward to make it a cheerful place for kids. /get/
CAUSATIVE VERBS AND THE VERBAL FORMS THAT FOLLOW