When you wanted to say that you made something happen but did not perform the action yourself.? That is where causative verbs come in. They assist you in demonstrating how one person causes another to act. So, let us take a look at what are these verbs and how they perform their functions in our sentences.
What is a Causative Verb?
Causative verbs are action words that indicate one subject causes another subject to act. Instead, they are not about who is doing a thing but who is making it happen. Common causative verbs include make, have, let, and get. For example, in “I had my car washed,” the verb “had” shows that the speaker arranged for someone else to wash the car.
Examples of Causative Verbs:
- Make: “She made him cry.”
- Have: “I had the report finished by my colleague.”
- Let: “They let her go early.”
- Get: “He got the plumber to fix the leak.”
Why Are Causative Verbs Important?
Causative verbs help us express actions succinctly, especially when the subject isn’t directly performing the task. They clarify relationships and responsibilities in various situations. For example, saying “I got my hair cut” clearly indicates that someone else did the cutting at your request.
Identifying Causative Verbs
Causative verbs: the subject causes someone or something to do something instead of doing it itself. Here are a few examples:
- “She got him to help her.” (causative)
- “We had the kitchen renovated.” (causative)
Real-Life Examples of Causative Verbs
You’ll find causative verbs in everyday language:
- At Work: “The manager had the project completed on time.” (completed by someone else)
- At Home: “I made my brother clean his room.” (cleaning was done by the brother)
- In Conversations: “She got her friends to join the club.” (friends did the joining)
Causative vs. Non-Causative Verbs
It’s essential to understand the difference between causative and non-causative verbs. Non-causative verbs do not imply that someone else performs the action. For example, in “I bake cookies,” “bake” is non-causative because the subject is doing the action directly.
Understanding causative verbs helps us communicate actions clearly, showing when someone influences or causes another person’s actions in simple terms.
