The Causative

Reference

Common mistakes

1. I had the mechanic to check the car. → I had the mechanic check the car.
   have + person + infinitive
2. I got my friend help me. → I got my friend to help me.
   get + person + to
3. Had you your car repaired? → Did you have your car repaired?
   question → do / did + have
4. I've just cut my hair at the hairdresser's. → I've just had my hair cut.
   someone else did it → causative

The Causative — Exercises

Choose the correct form

Circle the correct answer.

1. I'll have my assistant _____ you the report. (send / to send / sent)
2. Can you get Sam _____ us a lift? (to give / give / giving)
3. Where _____ you have your nails done? (do / have / are)
4. _____ you get the boiler checked last winter? (Did / Had / Were)
5. We _____ our house painted at the moment. ('re having / have / 've having)
6. She _____ her wallet stolen on the train. (had / made / let)
7. You should get your eyes _____ . (tested / test / to test)
8. We've just _____ a new kitchen fitted. (had / made / got to)

Write the causative

Write the missing words.

1. I   my eyes tested yesterday. (have, past)
2. We are going to   the TV repaired. (get)
3. She   her bag stolen at the airport. (have, past)
4. I finally got my brother   me his car. (lend)
5. They've just had a new kitchen   . (fit)
6. We   the walls painted — we did it ourselves. (not / have, past)

The Causative — Answer Key

Choose the correct form

1. send — have + person + infinitive.
2. to give — get + person + to.
3. do — Question → do you have … done?
4. Did — Past question → Did you get … checked?
5. 're having — Present continuous causative → 're having.
6. had — A bad experience → had her wallet stolen.
7. tested — get + object + past participle.
8. had — Present perfect causative → had … fitted.

Write the causative

1. had
2. get
3. had
4. to lend
5. fitted
6. didn't have