Causative Verbs B1–B2

Learn how to use common causative patterns such as make me work, let me leave, have someone check, and get someone to help.

What Are Causative Verbs?

We use causative verbs when one person causes, allows, arranges, or persuades another person to do something.

In this lesson, you will practice common patterns with make, let, have, get, and help.

Pay attention to whether the second verb uses the base form The simple verb form without to: go, work, leave, help, study. or to + verb.

💡 word = tap or hover for a definition
Big idea: Some verbs use the base verb: make me work, let me leave, have him check. But get usually uses to + verb: get me to work.
How to use this page: First, study the patterns in the Overview tab. Then complete the Practice tab. Some answers have more than one correct form, especially with help.

1. The Core Pattern

The most important causative verbs in this lesson are make, let, and have. These verbs are followed by a person and a base verb.

make / let / have + person/object + base verb
Verb Meaning Example
make force or require someone to do something My boss made me work late.
let allow someone to do something My parents let me borrow the car.
have arrange for someone to do something I had the mechanic check the brakes.
  • The movie made me cry.
  • She let her son stay home.
  • We had the assistant print the documents.

2. Get Is Different

Get can also be causative, but it usually takes to + verb. It often means persuade, convince, or arrange.

get + person/object + to + verb
  • I got him to help me.
  • She got her son to clean his room.
  • We got the company to refund our money.
Careful: Say She made him apologize, but She got him to apologize.

3. Help Can Use Both Forms

Help is special. It can use the base verb or to + verb. In American English, the version without to is very common.

help + person + base verb help + person + to + verb
  • Can you help me carry this box?
  • Can you help me to carry this box?
  • This app helps students learn English.
  • This app helps students to learn English.
Both are correct: Help me carry usually sounds more natural in everyday American English, but help me to carry is also grammatical.

4. Quick Comparison

Notice how the verb pattern changes.

Verb Pattern Example
make person + base verb She made him apologize.
let person + base verb They let us leave.
have person + base verb I had him check it.
get person + to + verb She got him to apologize.
help person + base verb / to + verb He helped me move. / He helped me to move.

5. Bonus Pattern: Go See / Go To See

This pattern is not causative, but it is useful because it also uses a base verb in conversational American English.

In everyday American English, people often say go see, go get, or go talk to.

go see = conversational AmE go to see = grammatical, more explicit go and see = also common
  • You should go see a doctor.
  • You should go to see a doctor.
  • I need to go get some coffee.
  • Let’s go talk to her.
Important: Go see is included here because it looks similar to causative patterns, but it belongs to a different grammar pattern.
Practice A — Choose the Correct Form
1. make + person + base verb
2. let + person + base verb
3. have + person + base verb
4. get + person + to + verb
5. help can use both forms
6. help can use both forms
Practice B — Rewrite the Sentences
Instructions: Rewrite each sentence using the word in parentheses. Then click Show model answers.
1. Use: make

My boss required me to stay late.

2. Use: let

The school allowed the students to use their phones.

3. Use: have

I arranged for the mechanic to check my car.

4. Use: get

She persuaded her friend to apply for the job.

5. Use: help

Can you assist me with carrying these bags?

Model Answers

  • My boss made me stay late.
  • The school let the students use their phones.
  • I had the mechanic check my car.
  • She got her friend to apply for the job.
  • Can you help me carry these bags? / Can you help me to carry these bags?
Practice C — Bonus Pattern: Go See / Go To See
Remember: This is not causative. It is a similar-looking pattern that is common in everyday American English.
1. go see / go to see
2. go get / go to get
3. conversational or formal?
4. conversational or formal?
Practice D — Your Turn
Write your own sentences. Try to use real situations from your life, work, school, or family.
1. make + person + base verb
2. let + person + base verb
3. have + person + base verb
4. get + person + to + verb
5. help + person + base verb / to + verb
6. Bonus: go + base verb
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Answer Key — Practice A

  • 1. My parents made me do my homework before dinner.
  • 2. The teacher let us leave early.
  • 3. I had my assistant send the email.
  • 4. We got the landlord to fix the leak.
  • 5. Can you help me move this table? / Can you help me to move this table?
  • 6. She helped her brother find a job. / She helped her brother to find a job.

Answer Key — Practice B

  • 1. My boss made me stay late.
  • 2. The school let the students use their phones.
  • 3. I had the mechanic check my car.
  • 4. She got her friend to apply for the job.
  • 5. Can you help me carry these bags? / Can you help me to carry these bags?

Answer Key — Practice C

  • 1. You should go see a doctor. / You should go to see a doctor.
  • 2. I need to go get some groceries. / I need to go to get some groceries.
  • 3. C — You should go see a doctor is more conversational.
  • 4. F — You should go to see a doctor is more formal, written, or explicit.
Reminder: Go see is not causative. It belongs to a different pattern: motion verb + base verb, common in conversational American English.
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