A causative verb indicates causing someone or something to do or experience an action. In other words, it expresses making or influencing someone or something to perform a specific action. Causative verbs are often used when describing situations where someone is responsible for an action happening, even if they are not directly acting themselves.
There are two main types of causative constructions:
- Causative with “Make” or “Have”: In English, causative constructions often involve the verbs “make” or “have” followed by an object and a base form or infinitive verb.
Example with “make”: She made him clean the room.
Example with “have”: I had my car repaired yesterday.
- Causative Verbs as a Separate Category: Some languages have specific verbs that function as causatives, indicating the action of causing something to happen.
Example: In Japanese, the verb “saseru” (させる) is causative, meaning “to make someone do.”
Key characteristics of causative verbs:
- Agent and Recipient: Causative constructions typically involve an agent (the one causing the action) and a recipient (the one experiencing or performing the action).
- Change in Subject: Causative constructions often involve changing the grammatical subject. The subject causing the action is different from the subject performing the action.
- Use of Infinitive or Base Form: Causative verbs are often followed by the base form or infinitive of the main verb, indicating the action to be caused.
- Causative Alternations: Some causative verbs can have alternative forms or constructions, allowing for different ways of expressing causation.
Example: She had her hair cut (causative with “have”) vs. She cut her hair (direct action).
- Examples of causative verbs in English:
She made him laugh.
They had the mechanic fix their car.
He causes the machine to operate.
Understanding causative verbs is essential for expressing the idea of causing or influencing actions in various contexts within language.
