Causative structures: make / let / get / have
These verbs describe causing or allowing someone (or something) to do something.
| Verb | Pattern | Meaning | Example |
|---|---|---|---|
| make | make + obj + bare infinitive | force / cause (no choice) | The film made me cry. · The teacher made us rewrite the essay. |
| let | let + obj + bare infinitive | allow / permit | She let me borrow her car. · Let him speak. |
| get | get + obj + to-infinitive | persuade / arrange (some effort involved) | I finally got him to agree. · How did you get them to help? |
| have | have + obj + bare infinitive | instruct / arrange (formal; person does it for you) | I'll have my assistant call you. · She had the waiter bring another bottle. |
| have / get | have/get + obj + past participle | arrange for something to be done (causative passive) | I need to have my hair cut. · We got the roof repaired. |
Passive sense — have/get + pp:
"I cut my hair" = I did it myself. "I had my hair cut" = someone cut it for me. The past participle shows the object receives the action.
Verbs of perception: see / hear / watch / feel / notice
Perception verbs can take two patterns, with a subtle difference in meaning.
| Pattern | Meaning | Example |
|---|---|---|
| verb + obj + bare infinitive | complete action (witnessed from start to finish) | I saw him cross the road. · We heard her sing the whole song. |
| verb + obj + -ing | action in progress (partial / caught mid-action) | I saw him crossing the road. · We heard her singing in the kitchen. |
Passive of perception:
In the passive, use to-infinitive: "He was seen to cross the road." "She was heard to say something strange."
Reporting / expecting: want / expect / ask / need + obj + to-inf
These common verbs follow the pattern: verb + object + to-infinitive.
I want you to stay.
She expected him to apologise.
They asked us to wait.
We need someone to help us.
I would like you to sign here.
She expected him to apologise.
They asked us to wait.
We need someone to help us.
I would like you to sign here.
want vs make:
✓ "I want him to do it." (to-inf) · ✓ "I made him do it." (bare inf) — never ✗ "I want him do it" or ✗ "I made him to do it."
Exercises
Choose the correct option.
1. She made the children ___ their vegetables.
2. I need to get my car ___. It's been making a strange noise.
3. I finally got my landlord ___ the heating.
4. Did you hear the neighbours ___ last night? They were very loud.
5. The manager would like ___ to this address immediately.