Causative

Problems With Causatives

Causatives are main verbs that cause people or machines to do things or cause things to change. They are listed below in order of the most forceful to the least forceful:

make

get

have

let

help

[email protected]

problem 16 Causative MAKE

Remember that MAKE can be used as a causative. In a causative, a person does not perform an action directly. The person causes it to happen by forcing another person to do it.

S MAKE someone verb word

His mother made him take his medicine

S MAKE something verb word

I made the machine work

Avoid using an infinitive or an –ing form instead of a verb word after a person or thing in a causative with MAKE.

EXAMPLES

incorrect: She made the baby to take a nap.

correct: She made the baby take a nap .incorrect: Professor Rogers didn't make us typed up our lab reports. correct: Professor Rogers didn't make us type up our lab reports.

incorrect: Are you going to make your daughter to work part time in the store this summer? correct: Are you going to make your daughter work part time in the store this summer?

incorrect: I can't seem to make this dishwasher running.

correct: I can't seem to make this dishwasher run.

incorrect: Patsy makes everyone doing his share around the house.

correct: Patsy makes everyone do his share around the house.

Exercises

Part A: Choose the correct answer.

Psychologists believe that incentives ______to increase our productivity.

(A) make us want

(B) make us to want

(C) making us want

(D) makes us wanting

Part B: Choose the incorrect word or phrase and correct it.

Too much water makes plants turning brown on the edges of (A) (B) (C)their leaves. (D)

turn

Causative GETRemember that GET can be used as a causative. In a causative, a person does not perform an action directly.

GET has less force and authority than MAKE.

GET somebody to do

Let's get Ralph to go with us

GET something done

Let's get our car fixed first

Avoid using a verb word instead of an infinitive after a person in a causative with GET. Avoid using a verb word instead of a participle after things in a causative with GET.

Examples

incorrect: Do you think we can get Karen takes us to San Diego?

correct: Do you think that we can get Karen to take us to San Diego?

incorrect: I want to get the house paint before winter.

correct: I want to get the house painted before winter.

incorrect: Let's get some of our money exchange for dollars.

correct: Let's get some of our money exchanged for dollars.

incorrect: Nora got her mother's wedding dress to alter so that it fit perfectly.

correct: Nora got her mother's wedding dress altered so that it fit perfectly.

incorrect: We will have to get someone fixing the phone right away. correct: We will have to get someone to fix the phone right away.

Exercises

Part A: Choose the correct answer.

Lobbyists who represent special interest groups get ______ that benefits their groups.

(A) Congress to pass the legislation

(B) Congress passed the legislation

(C) the legislation to pass by Congress

(D) the legislation that Congress passing

Part B: Choose the incorrect word or phrase and correct it.

In order to receive full reimbursement for jewelry that might (A)be stolen, the owner must get all pieces appraise. (B) (C) (D)appraised

Causative HAVE

Remember that HAVE can be used as a causative. In a causative, a person does not perform an action directly.

HAVE has even less force and authority than GET.

S have someone verb word

My English teacher had us give oral reports

S have something participle

I want to have this book renewed, please

Avoid using an infinitive or an -ing form instead of a verb word after a person in a causative with HAVE. Avoid using a verb word or an infinitive instead of a participle after a thing in a causative with HAVE.

Examples

incorrect: Tom had a tooth fill. correct: Tom had a tooth filled.

incorrect: Have you had your temperature taking yet?correct: Have you had your temperature taken yet?

incorrect: They had their lawyer to change their wills. correct: They had their lawyer change their wills.incorrect: I like the way you had the beautician done your hair. correct: I like the way you had the beautician do your hair.

incorrect: We are going to have our car fix before we go to Toronto. correct: We are going to have our car fixed before we go to Toronto.

Exercises

Part A: Choose the correct answer.

Like humans, zoo animals must have a dentist _______ their teeth.

(A) fill

(B) filled

(C) filling

(D) to be filled

Part B: Choose the incorrect word or phrase and correct it.Most presidential candidates have their names print on the ballot (A)in the New Hampshire primary election because it is (B)customarily the first one in the nation, and winning it can give (C) (D) them a good chance to be nominated by their parties.

printed

Causative LET

Remember that LET can be used as a causative. In a causative, a person does not perform an action directly. With LET, a person gives permission for another person to do it.

S LET someone verb word

His mother let him go to school

S LET something verb word

I am letting this machine cool

Avoid using an infinitive or an -ing form instead of a verb word after a person or thing in a causative with LET.

Examples

incorrect: Professor Baker let us to write a paper instead of taking a final exam.

correct: Professor Baker let us write a paper instead of taking a final exam.incorrect: When I was learning to drive, my Dad let me using his car.

correct: When I was learning to drive, my Dad let me use his car.incorrect: Would you let us the borrow your notes?

correct: Would you let us borrow your notes?incorrect: Larry is so good-hearted, he lets people took advantage of him.

correct: Larry is so good-hearted, he lets people take advantage of him.

incorrect: Don't let that bothers you.

correct: Don't let that bother you.

Exercises

Part A: Choose the correct answer.

The Immigration and Naturalization Service often _______ their visas if they fill out the appropriate papers.

(A) lets students extend

(B) lets students for extend

(C) letting students to extend

(D) let students extending

Part B; Choose the incorrect word or phrase and correct it.The National Basketball Association will not let any athlete to continue playing in the league unless he submits (A) (B) voluntarily to treatment for drug addiction. (C) (D)

continue

Causative HELP

Remember that HELP can be used as a causative. In a causative, a person does not perform an action directly. With HELP, a person assists another person to do it.

S HELP someone verb word orinfinitive

He is helping me type my paper

He is helping me to type my paper

Avoid using an -ing form instead of a verb word or an infinitive after a person in a causative with HELP.

Examples

incorrect: Her husband always helps her that she does the laundry.

correct: Her husband always helps her do the laundry.or Her husband always helps her to do the laundry. incorrect: Don't you help each other the study for tests?

correct: Don't you help each other study for tests?or Don't you help each other to study for tests?

incorrect: My teacher helped me getting this job.

correct: My teacher helped me get this job.or My teacher helped me to get this job.incorrect: Bob said that he would help our finding the place. correct: Bob said that he would help us find the place.or Bob said that he would help us to find the place.

incorrect: This book should help you understanding the lecture.

correct: This book should help you understand the lecture.

or This book should help you to understand the lecture.

Exercises

Part A: Choose the correct answer.

In partnership with John D. Rockefeller, Henry Flager ______ the Standard Oil Company.

(A) helped forming

(B) helped form

(C) he helped form

(D) helping to form