Bahasa Inggris Bisnis 2 - Causative

CAUSATIVE VERB

Causative verbs express an action which is caused to happen. In other words, when I have something done for me I cause it to happen. In other words, I do not actually do anything, but ask someone else to do it for me. This is the sense of causative verbs.

This sentence is similar in meaning to:Someone painted Jack's house. OR Jack's house was painted by someone. Causative verbs express the idea of someone causing something to take place. Causative verbs can be similar in meaning to passive verbs.

Examples:

My hair was cut. (passive)
I had my hair cut. (causative)

Both 'make' and 'have' can be used as causative verbs.

Ø Make

'Make' as a causative verb expresses the idea that the person requires another person to do something.

Construction Chart

Subject + Make + Person + Base Form of Verb

Examples:

Peter made her do her homework.
The teacher made the students stay after class.

Ø Have

'Have' as a causative verb expresses the idea that the person wants something to be done for them. This causative verb is often used when speaking about various services. There are two forms of the causative verb 'have'.

Form

[have + person + verb]

Use

This construction means "to give someone the responsibility to do something."

Examples:

·       Dr. Smith had his nurse take the patient's temperature.

·       Please have your secretary fax me the information.

·       I had the mechanic check the brakes.

Ø Get

'Get' is used as a causative verb in a similar way as 'have' is used with the participle. This expresses the idea that the person wants something to be done for them. The causative verb is often used in a more idiomatic manner than 'have'.

Form

[get + person + to + verb]

Use

This construction usually means "to convince to do something" or "to trick someone into doing something."

Examples:

·       Susie got her son to take the medicine even though it tasted terrible.

·       How can parents get their children to read more?

·       The government TV commercials are trying to get people to stop smoking.

Ø Let

Form

[let + person + verb]

Use

This construction means "to allow someone to do something."

Examples:

·       John let me drive his new car.

·       Will your parents let you go to the party?

·       I don't know if my boss will let me take the day off.

Reference:

http://www.learnamericanenglishonline.com/Green%20Level/G16%20Unusual%20Uses%20of%20Get%20and%2Have.html

http://www.englishpage.com/minitutorial/let.html

http://esl.about.com/od/grammarstructures/causative.htm

http://www.engvid.com/english-grammar-causative-verb/