CAUSATIVE VERBS.
Jack had his house painted.
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/to be done.
Functions and examples
1. We use causative have when intentionally arranging for someone to do something
for us. Structure: HAVE + THING/OBJECT + PAST PARTICIPLE
They repaired their car. -- they did it themselves
They had their car repaired. -- they arranged for someone to repair it
I cut my hair yesterday. -- I cut it myself
I had my hair cut yesterday. -- I went to the hairdresser
2. We also use causative have when someone does something TO us, and there is no
intentionallity on our part..
Bill had his money stolen by a thief.
I had my house broken into a week ago.
He had his books severely criticised by supposed experts.
IMPORTANT POINTS:
1. Get is possible instead of have, usually in informal spoken English.
I'm going to get my car fixed tomorrow.
He is going to get his back tatooed and his nose pierced.
2. We can also use “to have someone do something” or “get someone TO do
something” to talk about giving instructions or orders -- more common in American
English.
- Have someone do something:
I had my assistant type the report.
I'll have my lawyer look into it.
- Get someone do something: This construction usually means "to convince
someone to do something" or "to trick someone into doing something.
• 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.
Get vs. Have
Sometimes "get someone to do something" is interchangeable with "have someone do
something," but these expressions do not mean exactly the same thing.
Examples:
• I got the mechanic to check my brakes.
AT FIRST THE MECHANIC DIDN'T THINK IT WAS NECESSARY, BUT I CONVINCED HIM TO CHECK THE
BRAKES.
• I had the mechanic check my brakes.
I ASKED THE MECHANIC TO CHECK THE BRAKES.
EXERCISES:
http://www.usingenglish.com/quizzes/221.html
http://web.uvic.ca/~gluton/class/hot%20potatoes%20files/Grammar
%20exercises/causatives.htm
1.- My car broke down last week so I had
to ............................................................. (repair)
2.- Have you ever thought
of ................................................................................? (portrait / paint)
3.- I'm staying with my parents-in-law this month as
I ......................................................... (my house / redecorate)
4.- He ............................................................ at the health centre
yesterday (his blood pressure / check)
5.- How often ................................................. nowadays? (your hair /
cut)
6.- Mary is ......................................................... tomorrow (her new
computer / deliver)
7.- You are sitting very close to the
TV. ........................................................... recently? (your eyes / test)
8.- Tom has just ........................................................... in his flat (a
telephone / install)
9.- Why don't you ............................................... ? (that coat / clean)
10.- Ann's car is broken down so she will have to take it to the garage
to ................................................... (it / fix)
11.- This tree is too tall I suppose I will .................................................
(it / cut down)
12.- My brother took very beautiful pictures but
he .......................................................... (the film / develop)
13.- My car has a puncture but I have no
time ................................................. (it / mend)
14.- My sister ...................................................... in the garden ( an
apple tree / plant)
IN-CLASS SPEAKING LESSON PLAN
EXAMPLES OF COMPLAINTS AND ADVICE (CAUSATIVE GET/HAVE)
COMPLAINT ADVICE
My battery is dead! (What should I do?) You should get or have it charged.
Subject + should get or have + pronoun + past participle.
My glasses are broken. (What should I do?) You should get/have them fixed.
Subject + should get or have + pronoun + past participle
My coat is stained (dirty). ___________________________________
My eyes hurt. _____________________________________________
PRACTICE WITH YOUR PARTNER
Person 1 complains Person 2 gives advice
My hair is too long. ___________________________________
My TV is broken. ____________________________________
My teeth hurt. _______________________________________
My shoes are too tight. ________________________________
The roof leaks. _______________________________________
My gas tank is empty. _________________________________
Person 2 complains Person 1 gives advice
My knife is dull. _______________________________________
My shirts are wrinkled. _______________________________________
My shoes are too tight. _______________________________________
My skirt is too short. _______________________________________
My hair is grey. _______________________________________
My license has expired. _______________________________________
Helpful vocabulary
Stretch, Iron, Lengthen, Repair, Color, dye, Sharpen, Shorten, Check, Renew
