Summary of Causative Verbs: Have and Get
Master Causative Verbs: Have and Get - Full Guide for Students
Introduction
Causatives are structures we use to indicate that one person causes another person to do something. In English, there are several common forms: have, get, make (obligation), and let (permission). In this material, we focus on have and get and provide clear explanations, examples, and practice exercises for using these forms correctly.
Definition: A causative expresses that the subject causes another person to perform an action.
Quick Overview
- have + object + base verb: to ask or arrange for someone to do something.
- get + object + to + infinitive: to persuade or convince someone to do something.
- make (brief mention): indicates obligation — "to make someone do something."
- let (brief mention): indicates permission — "to allow someone to do something."
1. Causative with have
Structure
- Affirmative form: have + object + verb (base form)
- Example: I'll have you sign the form.
- Interrogative form: Have + subject + object + verb?
- Example: Have we had anyone confirm the start time of the meeting?
Definition: With have, the speaker requests, arranges, or instructs another person to perform an action; the action is typically carried out by that other person.
Usage and nuances
- It typically indicates an action that is arranged for or requested, not necessarily forced.
- DO NOT use to between the object and the verb: incorrect: "I'll have my assistant to call you." -> correct: "I'll have my assistant call you."
Practical examples
- We had someone deliver sandwiches at noon.
- I'll have my assistant send the report right away.
2. Causative with get
Structure
- Affirmative Form: get + object + to + infinitive
- Example: I'll get my brother to help you. (I'll arrange for my brother to help you.)
- Interrogative Form: Did you get + object + to + infinitive?
- Example: Did you get someone to open the door? (Were you able to get someone to open the door?)
Definition: With get, the emphasis is on managing to get, persuading, or convincing someone to perform an action.
Usage and Nuances
- It includes the idea of achievement or persuasion: someone takes some convincing.
- DO NOT use the base form of the verb without "to" after get: Incorrect: "I'll get my brother help you." -> Correct: "I'll get my brother to help you."
Practical Examples
- We finally got my brother to help you. (We finally convinced my brother to help you.)
- Did you get the mechanic to check the brakes? (Did you manage to get the mechanic to check the brakes?)
3. Comparison: have vs get
| Function | Structure | Nuance / When to Use |
|---|---|---|
| To arrange for / Commission | have + object + base verb | Commonly used for orders, requests, or formal arrangements. |
| To persuade / To get someone to do something | get + object + to + infinitive | Indicates effort to get someone to do something. |
4. Common Errors
- Forgetting "to" after get: "I'll get him to call" (correct) vs "I'll get him call" (incorrect).
- Using "to" with have: "I'll have my assistant to call you" (incorrect).
5. Practice Activities (self-assessment)
- Rewrite the sentences using have or get as appropriate for the context:
- (a) "Voy a pedir a mi asistente que programe la reunión." -> I'll have my assistant ______ the meeting. (answer: schedule)
- (b) "Conseguí que el vecino regara las plantas." -> I got the neighbor ______ the plants. (answer: to water)
- Decide if the sentence is correct or incorrect and correct it:
- "I had him to fix the lamp." (incorrect) -> "I had him fix the lamp."
- "She got her sister help her." (incorrect) -> "She got her sister to help her."
6. Real-world Examples
- Office: "I'll have the team prepare the presentation." (Formal instruction.)
- Family: "Can you get Mom to come early?" (Trying to persuade.)
- Services: "We had someone install the new printer." (Arrangement/co
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Causatives: have and get
Klíčové pojmy: Causative: subject makes another person act, Have structure: have + object + base verb, Get structure: get + object + to + infinitive, Have indicates a task or request, Get indicates persuasion or achievement, Do not use 'to' with 'have', Always use 'to' with 'get' before the infinitive, Correcting common errors with examples
## Introduction
*Causatives* are structures we use to indicate that one person causes another person to do something. In English, there are several common forms: **have**, **get**, **make** (obligation), and **let** (permission). In this material, we focus on **have** and **get** and provide clear explanations, examples, and practice exercises for using these forms correctly.
> Definition: A causative expresses that the subject causes another person to perform an action.
## Quick Overview
- **have + object + base verb**: to ask or arrange for someone to do something.
- **get + object + to + infinitive**: to persuade or convince someone to do something.
- **make** (brief mention): indicates obligation — "to make someone do something."
- **let** (brief mention): indicates permission — "to allow someone to do something."
## 1. Causative with have
### Structure
- Affirmative form: **have + object + verb (base form)**
- Example: I'll have you sign the form.
- Interrogative form: **Have + subject + object + verb?**
- Example: Have we had anyone confirm the start time of the meeting?
> Definition: With **have**, the speaker requests, arranges, or instructs another person to perform an action; the action is typically carried out by that other person.
### Usage and nuances
- It typically indicates an action that is arranged for or requested, not necessarily forced.
- DO NOT use **to** between the object and the verb: incorrect: "I'll have my assistant to call you." -> correct: "I'll have my assistant call you."
### Practical examples
- We had someone deliver sandwiches at noon.
- I'll have my assistant send the report right away.
## 2. Causative with get
### Structure
- Affirmative Form: **get + object + to + infinitive**
- Example: I'll get my brother to help you. (I'll arrange for my brother to help you.)
- Interrogative Form: **Did you get + object + to + infinitive?**
- Example: Did you get someone to open the door? (Were you able to get someone to open the door?)
> Definition: With **get**, the emphasis is on managing to get, persuading, or convincing someone to perform an action.
### Usage and Nuances
- It includes the idea of achievement or persuasion: someone takes some convincing.
- DO NOT use the base form of the verb without "to" after **get**: Incorrect: "I'll get my brother help you." -> Correct: "I'll get my brother to help you."
### Practical Examples
- We finally got my brother to help you. (We finally convinced my brother to help you.)
- Did you get the mechanic to check the brakes? (Did you manage to get the mechanic to check the brakes?)
## 3. Comparison: have vs get
| Function | Structure | Nuance / When to Use |
|---|---:|---|
| To arrange for / Commission | have + object + base verb | Commonly used for orders, requests, or formal arrangements. |
| To persuade / To get someone to do something | get + object + to + infinitive | Indicates effort to get someone to do something. |
## 4. Common Errors
- Forgetting "to" after **get**: "I'll get him to call" (correct) vs "I'll get him call" (incorrect).
- Using "to" with **have**: "I'll have my assistant to call you" (incorrect).
## 5. Practice Activities (self-assessment)
1. Rewrite the sentences using **have** or **get** as appropriate for the context:
- (a) "Voy a pedir a mi asistente que programe la reunión." -> I\'ll have my assistant ______ the meeting. (answer: schedule)
- (b) "Conseguí que el vecino regara las plantas." -> I got the neighbor ______ the plants. (answer: to water)
2. Decide if the sentence is correct or incorrect and correct it:
- "I had him to fix the lamp." (incorrect) -> "I had him fix the lamp."
- "She got her sister help her." (incorrect) -> "She got her sister to help her."
## 6. Real-world Examples
- Office: "I'll have the team prepare the presentation." (Formal instruction.)
- Family: "Can you get Mom to come early?" (Trying to persuade.)
- Services: "We had someone install the new printer." (Arrangement/co