Causative Verbs: "Have," "Get," and "Make" Someone Do Something
Learn causative verbs have, get, and make — how to use them for services, forcing, and arranging actions — with rules, examples, and practice for exams.
In English, special verb patterns show that you cause someone else to do something or arrange a service.
I cut my hair. (I did it myself — unlikely.)
I had my hair cut. (Someone cut it for me.)
The second sentence uses a causative structure. This article covers have, get, and make in causative patterns.
Rule box: Have/get + object + past participle for services. Have/make + object + base verb for forcing/asking. Get + object + to + verb for persuading.
| Pattern | Meaning | Example |
|---|---|---|
| have + object + past participle | arrange a service | I had my car repaired. |
| get + object + past participle | arrange a service (informal) | I got my car repaired. |
| make + object + base verb | force someone | She made me wait. |
| have + object + base verb | instruct/ask someone | I had him fix it. |
| get + object + to + verb | persuade someone | I got him to fix it. |
I had my hair cut yesterday.
We had the house painted last month.
She had her phone repaired.
The subject arranges for someone else to do the action. The doer is not mentioned.
I got my hair cut.
We got the car serviced.
Same meaning as have, but more informal.
She made me wait for an hour.
The teacher made the students rewrite the essay.
He made her apologise.
Make implies force or authority. No to before the verb.
I had the mechanic check the brakes.
She had her assistant send the email.
Have implies instructing or requesting.
I got him to repair the bike.
She got her parents to agree.
Get implies persuasion — convincing someone to do something.
- Is it a service (someone does something for you)? → have/get + object + past participle.
- Is it forcing someone? → make + object + base verb.
- Is it instructing someone? → have + object + base verb.
- Is it persuading someone? → get + object + to + verb.
- Check the form. No to after make. To required after get (persuade).
I cut my hair yesterday.
If you mean someone else cut it:
I had my hair cut yesterday.
She made me to wait.
Make takes base verb (no to).
She made me wait.
I got him repair it.
Get (persuade) needs to.
I got him to repair it.
- I had my hair cut. (service)
- I got my car serviced. (service, informal)
- She made me wait. (force)
- I had him fix the tap. (instruct)
- I got him to fix the tap. (persuade)
- We had the house painted. (service)
- The boss made them work late. (force)
- I got the tailor to alter the shirt. (persuade)
- She had her nails done. (service)
- He made the children clean their rooms. (force)
Wrong: She made me to wait.
Right: She made me wait.
Make takes the bare infinitive (no to).
Wrong: I got him repair it.
Right: I got him to repair it.
Get (persuade) requires to + verb.
Wrong: I had my hair cut by the barber. (usually unnecessary)
Right: I had my hair cut.
The agent is usually omitted in causative service sentences unless it adds important information.
Wrong: She got me wait.
Right: She made me wait. (force) / She got me to wait. (persuade)
Make = force. Get = persuade (requires to).
| Wrong | Right | Why |
|---|---|---|
| She made me to wait. | She made me wait. | Make + base verb. |
| I got him repair it. | I got him to repair it. | Get + to + verb. |
| I cut my hair yesterday. | I had my hair cut yesterday. | Causative for services. |
Choose the correct option.
- I ___ my car serviced yesterday.
a) had b) made - She made me ___ for two hours.
a) to wait b) wait - I got him ___ the report.
a) to finish b) finish - We ___ the house painted last month.
a) had b) made - Error spotting: She made me to apologise.
- Error spotting: I got him repair the bike.
- Error spotting: I cut my hair at the salon.
- Fill in the blank: I had my watch ___. (repair)
- Rewrite correctly: She made me to rewrite the essay.
- Choose: I got the mechanic ___ my car. (check / to check)
- had — service.
- wait — make + base verb.
- to finish — get + to + verb.
- had — service.
- She made me apologise.
- I got him to repair the bike.
- I had my hair cut at the salon.
- repaired — past participle.
- She made me rewrite the essay.
- to check — get + to + verb.
Rule: Have/get + object + past participle = service. Make + base verb = force. Get + to + verb = persuade.
Memory trick: Have it done. Make them do. Get them to do.
Revise these:
- I had my hair cut. (service)
- She made me wait. (force)
- I got him to fix it. (persuade)
- We had the house painted. (service)