Causative verbs: Let – Make – Have – Get – Help

Causative Verbs in English: Let, Make, Have, Get & Help (Simple, Clear & Exam-Ready Guide)

In real life, we don’t always do things ourselves.

• We have our hair cut.
• We get our phone repaired.
• Our boss makes us work late.
• Our parents let us stay out longer.
• A friend helps us solve a problem.

All of these use causative verbs — verbs we use when one person causes another person to do something, or when someone arranges for something to happen.

Causative verbs are extremely common in everyday English and appear very often in Cambridge exams (B2 First, C1 Advanced), especially in Use of English transformations, writing (stories, reports, reviews) and speaking (daily life situations, services, problems, arrangements).

In this clear, practical guide, you will learn how to use the five main causative verbs:

let – make – have – get – help

Quick overview

• have / get → arrange for something to be done
• make → force or require
• let → allow
• help → assist

Now let’s look at each one carefully.

Causative verb HAVE

Meaning: To arrange for someone else to do something for you.

We use have when we do not do the action ourselves.

• I didn’t cut my hair. I had my hair cut.

The causative verb have has two main constructions.

Construction 1:

Have + person + bare infinitive

• We had a painter paint our apartment.
• I had my elder sister check my essay for mistakes.
• They had a man fix the door of the shed.
• She likes to have the window open when it’s hot.

Construction 2:

Have + thing + past participle

This is the most common form in everyday English.

• Sheila had her hair done
• Paul is having his car fixed tomorrow morning.
• I had my birthday cake made in that bakery. It was delicious.
• We are having the air conditioning repaired.

“Unpleasant experience” use

We can also use this structure to say that something bad or unwanted happened to someone.

• The Smiths had their apartment robbed while they were at the theatre.
• Sally had her arm broken in a car accident, so she’ll miss PE for some time.

Causative verb GET

Meaning 1: To arrange for something to be done (more informal than have)

• I’m going to get my hair cut this afternoon.
• We got the apartment painted last week.

Meaning 2: To persuade or convince someone to do something

Construction:

Get + person + to + infinitive

• Jane got her son to help her with the dishes.
• Helen got her boyfriend to buy her an expensive ring.
• I got my neighbour to help me carry my suitcase.
• I can’t get my washing machine to start.

Causative verb MAKE

Meaning: To force or require someone to do something

Construction:

Make + person + bare infinitive

• The story made me think.
• At this school, they make students exercise every day.
• His mum made him eat his dinner even though he wasn’t hungry.
• His parents tried to make him become a better person.

We can use force and require in a similar way:

• The prisoners were forced to take a shower.
• We were required to submit our work by the end of the month.

Causative verb LET

Meaning: To allow someone to do something

Construction:

Let + person + bare infinitive

• My brother let me use his computer.
• Sarah never lets anyone tell her what to do.
• They should let the children play in the park.
• Let bygones be

Let vs Allow / Permit

let → followed by bare infinitive

allow / permit → followed by to + infinitive

• They allow passengers to carry 25 kg of luggage.
• The café permits pets to stay

Causative verb HELP

Meaning: To give assistance to someone in doing something

Construction:

Help + person + (to) infinitive

After help, we can use to + infinitive or bare infinitive

• Helen helped me (to) prepare the food.
• Coffee helps me (to) wake up in the morning.
• My colleague helped me (to) write my CV.
• My brother always helps me (to) do my homework.

Exam tip (B2–C1)

Causative structures are very common in Use of English transformations, stories and reports and speaking tasks about services, problems, arrangements, and daily life.

If you master these, your English will sound much more natural and advanced.

Download the lesson on causative verbs have, get, make, let, help in PDF here

Download Causative Verbs Exercise Worksheet Let, Make, Have, Get, Help in PDF here

If you really want to learn English but don’t know how to do it and where to start, don’t hesitate to contact us. Book an online English lesson with one of our certified and experienced English teachers and take a test and consultation! Click the button to learn more!