Causative have and get
Use causative structures precisely: have/get something done, have someone do, get someone to do, and make/let someone do.
In this lesson you will
- Use have/get + object + participle
- Use have someone do and get someone to do
- Use make and let for force and permission
Learn
Services: have / get + object + past participle: I’m having my car serviced. We got the house painted.
Arranging for a person to act: have + person + base verb (I’ll have my assistant call you); get + person + to + verb (persuading): I finally got my brother to help.
make + person + base verb = force: The teacher made us rewrite it. (Passive: We were made to* rewrite it.) let + person + base verb* = allow: My parents let me stay out late.
Negative experiences: She had her phone stolen. He got his hand caught in the door.
| Structure | Meaning | Example |
|---|---|---|
| have something done | service | I had my hair cut. |
| have someone do | instruct | I’ll have Tom send it. |
| get someone to do | persuade | I got him to apologise. |
| make someone do | force | She made me wait. |
| let someone do | allow | They let us leave early. |
Examples
- Can you get the plumber to look at the sink?
- I had the receptionist book a taxi.
- They made the students switch off their phones.
- We were made to wait for two hours.
Vocabulary
service (a car)
check and repair regularly
persuade
make someone agree
force
make someone do something
allow
give permission
plumber
a person who fixes water pipes
Practice
I got my sister ___ me with my homework.
Speaking
Talk about rules your parents or teachers made you follow, things they let you do, and services you have done regularly.
Writing
Write about a stressful house move or renovation (100–120 words) using at least five causative structures.
Lesson quiz
They let us ___ early.
Review
Key points
- have/get something done.
- have someone do; get someone to do.
- make someone do (force); let someone do (allow).
- Passive make: be made to do.
What you learned
- ✓ I can use all causative structures.
- ✓ I distinguish make, let, have and get.
- ✓ I use the passive of make correctly.
Grammar reference: The passive voice