Causative Verbs

Causative verbs show that someone causes another person to do something, or arranges for something to be done.

Have Something Done

Use have + object + past participle when you arrange for another person to do a service.

Active idea	Causative form
A mechanic repaired my car.	I had my car repaired.
A hairdresser cut her hair.	She had her hair cut.

This structure focuses on the service, not the worker.

You can use different tenses.

Tense	Example
present	I have my apartment cleaned every week.
past	We had the roof repaired last month.
future	She is going to have her eyes tested.

Get Something Done

Get something done is similar to have something done and is common in conversation.

I got my phone fixed.

We need to get the windows cleaned.

Make, Let, And Have Someone Do Something

Use object + base verb after make, let, and active causative have.

Verb	Meaning	Example
make	force or require	The teacher made us rewrite the essay.
let	allow	My parents let me stay out late.
have	ask or arrange	The manager had the assistant call the client.

Common Mistakes

Avoid	Use
I had repaired my car by a mechanic.	I had my car repaired.
She made me to wait.	She made me wait.
My parents let me to go.	My parents let me go.

Practice

1 / 11

I had my computer ___ yesterday.

AdidBrepairedCrepairDrepaireding

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Summary

Use have/get + object + past participle for arranged services: I had my car repaired. Use make, let, and active have with object + base verb: made me wait, let us leave, had her assistant call.