Causative Form (Active and Passive Causative)

Causative Form, Active and Passive

In English, the causative form is used when we don't do someting ourselves, instead we arrange for someone else to do it for us.

There are two kinds of causative structure:

• Active Causative
• Passive Causative

A. Active Causative

Verbs that take active forms of causative are Let, Make, Have, and Get

Let

Let is used when we want to allow someone to do something.

Pattern

let

agent

verb

Example:

She lets me borrow her book.

explanation:

	let	agent	verb
She	lets	me	borrow	her book.

Make

Make is used when we want to force someone to do something.

Pattern

make

agent

verb

Example:

My mother makes me do my home work.

explanation:

	make	agent	verb
My mother	makes	me	do	my homework.

Have

Have is used when we want to give someone the responsbility to do something.

Pattern

have

agent

verb

Example:

My English teacher has me do the homework in a week.

explanation:

	have/has	agent	verb
My English teacher	has	me	do	the home work in a week.

Get

Get is used when we want to convince to do something or to trick someone into doing something.

Pattern

get

agent

to

verb

Example:

My friends get me to take the test.

explanation:

	get	agent	to	verb
My friends	get	me	to	take	the quiz.

Get vs. Have

Sometimes "get someone to do something" is interchangeable with "have someone do something," but these expressions do not mean exactly the same thing.
Examples:

My friends get me to take the test.

It can be meant that I am actually not encouraged to take the test, but my friends convince me to take that.

My friends have me take the test.

It means that my friends ask me to take the quiz.

B. Passive Causative

There are two verbs generally used in the passive causative form; they are Have and Get. In addition, there is usually no agent in this form; it's not like in active form which has the agent. The action verb is in the past participle, and the object comes before it. The difference between have and get in this passive causative form is the same like in active causative form explained aboved.

Pattern

Subject

Have/Get

Object

Past Participle

Examples:

• I ask someone to fix my car.
  = I have my car fixed.
• She asked John to wash the plate.
  = She got the plate washed.

Exception

But, if the verb get followed by personal nouns, past participle can't be used in it. Instead, we must use to infinitive. So it will become just like in active causative form.

Pattern

Subject

Get

Object (personal noun)

to

verb

• I get the house painted
• I get John to paint the house.

In addition, modal auxiliary verbs may be used with the causative sentence structure. Most often, modals express a suggestion by the speaker, such as:

• You should have your hair cut.
• He should get his decision changed
• She will have the food cooked.

Need & Want

Need and want may be used in passive causative sentences. In some cases, the passive causative verb (had/got) may be dropped altogether.??

• I need/want to have my hair cut.
• I need/want my hair cut.

References:

• Heads Up English
• Englishpage.com
• Headlight 3 2004 Erlangga

That was the explanation about causative form in English, active and passive form. And below is your chance to challenge your knowledge about the causative form. Take the quiz, good luck and enjoy!! :D

Causative Quiz

Answer the following questions with the right answers!!

1. Wena will .......... by the dentist tomorrow.

clean his teeth
polish his teeth
have his teeth cleaned
have his teeth polished


2. When .......... your new carpet fitted?

will
is
did you have
have you had


3. He often .......... at the dry cleaner's.

has his suits cleaned
has cleaned his suits
cleans his suits
gets his suits clean


4. Mr. Wayan will .......... Sinta play with the laptop if she finishes her homework.

get
have
let
make


5. I finally .......... the teacher to change his mind about punishment he gave to me.

made
got
have
let


6. I would like to .......... for me, as I'm an awful cook.

have my cooking
have my cooking done
make my cooking
make my cooking done


7. Sinta .......... her to do her homework as she gave up.

got me to help
made me to help
had me to help
let me to help


8. .......... your newspaper delivered to your house every morning?

have
do you have
do you get
do you make


9. Did someone .......... you wear that ugly clothes?

get
let
make
have


10. If you feel dizzy, you should ..........

let your blood pressure checked.
make your blood pressure checked.
get your blood pressure to check.
have your blood pressure checked.

Good luck and Enjoy!! :D
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