The causative verbs at a glance
| Structure | Meaning | Example |
|---|---|---|
| have + person + base verb | ask or arrange for someone to do it (often their job) | I had the mechanic check the brakes. |
| get + person + to + verb | persuade someone to do it | I got my brother to help me. |
| make + person + base verb | force someone to do it | The sergeant made us run five miles. |
| let + person + base verb | allow someone to do it | The captain let us leave early. |
| have / get + thing + past participle | someone does a service for you | I had my hair cut. · We got the truck repaired. |
Have something done
have / get + object + past participle (V3)
the tense goes on have: has, had, is having, will have, has had…
You don't do the action yourself: someone does it for you, usually a service you pay for.
- I have my car serviced every six months.
- She is having her uniform cleaned.
- We had the windows replaced last year.
- You should get your eyes tested.
- Where did you have your photos taken?
The same structure can describe something bad that happened to you: "He had his wallet stolen on the train."
ECL tipWatch the word order: have + object + V3. "I had my hair cut" means a barber cut it. "I had cut my hair" is the past perfect: I cut it myself, earlier.
Common mistakes
- ✗Wrong: I had repaired my car at the garage.✓Right: I had my car repaired at the garage.
- ✗Wrong: I cut my hair yesterday at the barbershop.✓Right: I had my hair cut yesterday at the barbershop.
Have someone do, get someone to do
have + person + base verb
no to
Ask someone to do something, often as part of their job, or because you have authority.
- The commander had the guards check every vehicle.
- I'll have my assistant send you the file.
get + person + to + verb
with to
Persuade or convince someone to do something.
- I finally got him to stop smoking.
- Can you get the driver to wait for us?
Common mistakes
- ✗Wrong: I got him clean the room.✓Right: I got him to clean the room.
- ✗Wrong: She had him to wait outside.✓Right: She had him wait outside.
Make and let
make + person + base verb
no to in the active · to in the passive
Force or cause someone to do something.
- The instructor made us repeat the exercise.
- Onions make me cry.
- We were made to repeat the exercise. (passive)
let + person + base verb
no to · no passive: use be allowed to
Allow someone to do something.
- My parents let me drive their car.
- We were allowed to leave early. (not we were let leave)
Similar verbs take to: allow, permit, force, cause, persuade, encourage. Help can take the base verb or to: "She helped me (to) carry the boxes."
Common mistakes
- ✗Wrong: The sergeant made us to run.✓Right: The sergeant made us run.
- ✗Wrong: They let me to go.✓Right: They let me go.
The subjunctive: insist that he go
After verbs and expressions of demand, suggestion, recommendation or necessity, American English uses that + subject + the base form of the verb, for every person and in every tense. There is no -s and no past form, and the negative is not + base verb.
| After these verbs… | …and these expressions |
|---|---|
| insist, demand, require, request, order, command | it is essential / vital / necessary / important that… |
| suggest, recommend, propose, advise, urge, ask | it is required / recommended / imperative / crucial that… |
- The captain insists that every soldier be on time.
- The doctor suggested that he rest for a week.
- They demanded that the prisoner be released.
- It is essential that she not miss the briefing.
- I recommend that he take the advanced course.
British English often uses should here ("He insists that she should be present"). The ECL tests the American form, with the base verb.
When insist means "say firmly that something is true", it takes a normal tense: "He insisted that he was innocent." The base form is for demands: "He insisted that she be present."
Common mistakes
- ✗Wrong: The officer demanded that he leaves.✓Right: The officer demanded that he leave.
- ✗Wrong: I suggest that he goes.✓Right: I suggest that he go.
- ✗Wrong: The officer requested that we didn't talk.✓Right: The officer requested that we not talk.
Insist on doing, insist that…
Insist has two patterns.
| Pattern | Example |
|---|---|
| insist on + -ing or a noun | He insisted on paying for dinner. · She insists on punctuality. |
| insist on + someone's + -ing (formal) | The sergeant insisted on our wearing helmets. |
| insist that + subject + base verb | The sergeant insisted that we wear helmets. |
Suggest and recommend work the same way: + -ing, or + that + subject + base verb. Never + person + to-infinitive.
- I suggest taking a taxi. · I suggest that you take a taxi.
Common mistakes
- ✗Wrong: He insisted to pay.✓Right: He insisted on paying.
Would rather and it's time
| Structure | Meaning | Example |
|---|---|---|
| would rather + base verb | prefer (same subject) | I'd rather stay home tonight. |
| would rather + person + past simple | prefer someone else to do it | I'd rather you stayed here. (now or in the future) |
| it's (high) time + subject + past simple | it should happen now | It's time we left. · It's high time you got a haircut. |
Quick check
Choose an answer: the explanation appears straight away.
1I'm going to have my uniform ___ for the ceremony.
2The sergeant made us ___ the obstacle course twice.
3The colonel demands that every officer ___ present at tomorrow's meeting.
4I finally got the mechanic ___ the engine.
5The doctor recommended that he ___ smoking.
6The pilot insisted ___ the aircraft himself.
1,045 grammar questions with explanations, in the trainer.