ACTIVE CAUSATIVE FORM EXERCISE 1 (ESL)
level: Intermediate (B1/B2)
The active causative — had + person + base verb — is used when someone arranges for another person to do something. This exercise practices transforming normal active sentences into the active causative pattern. Exercise 1 of 2.
Grammar review
The active causative form — have + person + base verb
In this exercise you are transforming sentences into the active causative form. The structure is:
subject + had + person + base verb
What this means: The subject didn’t perform the action themselves — they arranged for a specific person to do it.
“Tina washed the dishes.” → “I had Tina wash the dishes.”
“Robert told us what happened.” → “I had Robert tell us what happened.”
Key points for this exercise:
• The verb after the person is always in the base form (no -ed, no to)
• The tense of had can change depending on the sentence context
• The person being arranged is the direct object after had
Compare with the passive causative:
Active: “I had Tina wash the dishes.” (Tina is named)
Passive: “I had the dishes washed.” (Tina not mentioned — focus on the dishes)
In this exercise you are transforming sentences into the active causative form. The structure is:
subject + had + person + base verb
What this means: The subject didn’t perform the action themselves — they arranged for a specific person to do it.
“Tina washed the dishes.” → “I had Tina wash the dishes.”
“Robert told us what happened.” → “I had Robert tell us what happened.”
Key points for this exercise:
• The verb after the person is always in the base form (no -ed, no to)
• The tense of had can change depending on the sentence context
• The person being arranged is the direct object after had
Compare with the passive causative:
Active: “I had Tina wash the dishes.” (Tina is named)
Passive: “I had the dishes washed.” (Tina not mentioned — focus on the dishes)
Change each sentence into the correct (active) causative form.
Example: Bill redid the report. → Bill had Robert redo the report.
1. Tina washed the dishes. → I had Tina the dishes.✓
2. Robert told us what happened. → I had Robert us what happened.✓
3. Paula sat next to George. → I had Paula next to George.✓
4. My mother prepared the appetizers. → I had my mother the appetizers.✓
5. My brother brought the chairs from the living room. → I had my brother the chairs from the living room.✓
6. Steve bought some more soft drinks. → I had Steve some more soft drinks.✓
7. Kathy closed the window. → I had Kathy the window.✓
8. My sister gave everyone a piece of cake. → I had my sister everyone a piece of cake.✓
9. Peter asked Steve about his new house. → I had Peter Steve about his new house.✓
10. Frank drove everyone home. → I had Frank everyone home.✓
KEEP PRACTICING — MORE EXERCISES FOR YOU:
The causative form can be tricky — these exercises cover every variation so you can master it completely.
More causative form exercises:
Causative form (active & passive) 1 (B1/B2)
Causative form (active & passive) 2 (B1/B2)
Causative form (have/get/make/let) 3 (B1/B2)
Causative form (active) 2 (B1/B2)
Causative form (passive) 1 (B1/B2)
Causative form (passive) 2 (B1/B2)
Related passive voice exercises:
Passive voice (simple present) 1 (B1/B2)
Passive voice (simple past) 1 (B1/B2)
Passive voice (mixed) 1 (B1/B2)
Browse all grammar exercises →
The causative form can be tricky — these exercises cover every variation so you can master it completely.
More causative form exercises:
Causative form (active & passive) 1 (B1/B2)
Causative form (active & passive) 2 (B1/B2)
Causative form (have/get/make/let) 3 (B1/B2)
Causative form (active) 2 (B1/B2)
Causative form (passive) 1 (B1/B2)
Causative form (passive) 2 (B1/B2)
Related passive voice exercises:
Passive voice (simple present) 1 (B1/B2)
Passive voice (simple past) 1 (B1/B2)
Passive voice (mixed) 1 (B1/B2)
Browse all grammar exercises →
