English Causative Form - Explanation and Exercises
Have/get something done, plus make and let, explained and practiced: free interactive exercises with instant answer checking, from intermediate (B1) to advanced (C1).
Quick Grammar Review: The Causative Form in English
What is the causative form?
The causative form is used when the subject of the sentence does not perform the action themselves. Instead, they arrange for someone else to do it. The two most common causative structures are have something done and get something done.
I cut my hair. (I did it myself.) → I had my hair cut. (Someone cut it for me, e.g. at a hairdresser's.)
Have something done
Structure: have + object + past participle
This is the most common causative structure. The tense of have changes to show when the action took/takes place.
| Tense | Structure | Example |
|---|---|---|
| Simple present | have + obj + pp | I have my car serviced every year. |
| Simple past | had + obj + pp | She had her nails done yesterday. |
| Present perfect | have had + obj + pp | I have had my roof repaired. |
| Future (will) | will have + obj + pp | We will have the carpets cleaned next week. |
| Going to | going to have + obj + pp | I'm going to have my photo taken. |
Get something done
Structure: get + object + past participle
Get something done is similar in meaning to have something done but is more informal and often implies more effort or difficulty in arranging the action.
I need to get my passport renewed. | She finally got her bike fixed.
Make and let
Make and let are also causative verbs, but they work differently: they are followed by an object + bare infinitive (no to).
| Verb | Meaning | Structure | Example |
|---|---|---|---|
| make | Force or cause someone to do something | make + object + bare infinitive | The teacher made the students rewrite their essays. |
| let | Allow someone to do something | let + object + bare infinitive | Her parents let her stay out until midnight. |
Note: In the passive, make is followed by the full infinitive (with to): She was made to rewrite her essay.
Have someone do something
There is a related structure: have + person + bare infinitive. This is used when you want to say you instructed or arranged for a specific person to do something.
I'll have my assistant call you. | She had the mechanic check the brakes.
Common mistakes to avoid
- Using the wrong verb form after "have/get": ✗ I had my car repair. → ✓ I had my car repaired. (Always use the past participle.)
- Using "to" after "make" or "let": ✗ She made me to stay. → ✓ She made me stay.
- Confusing "have something done" (causative) with the present perfect: I have had my car fixed can mean either "I've arranged for it to be fixed" (causative present perfect) or simply "I've fixed it," and context usually makes the meaning clear.
- Forgetting the object: ✗ I had cut at the hairdresser's. → ✓ I had my hair cut at the hairdresser's.
All Causative Form Exercises
(B) = Beginner (A1/A2) | (I) = Intermediate (B1/B2) | (A) = Advanced (C1/C2)
