The causative is a common structure in English. It is used when one thing or person causes another thing or person to do something.

There are two basic causative structures. One is like an active, and the other is like a passive. These examples use the causative verb "have":

I have John fix the car. (I arranged for the car to be fixed by John - I caused him to fix it.) I have the car fixed (I arranged for the car to be fixed by someone. We don't know who, so this is like a passive.)

This is the basic structure of the active form, along with some more examples Subject Causative verb Agent Action verb Object Susanhasher brotherdo her homework. The police havethe suspectstophis car. Wehavethe carpenterfix our window. Have someone do something

In the passive form, there is usually no agent. The action verb is in the past participle, and the object comes before it: SubjectCausative verbObjectAction verb Wehaveour doorfixed. Rosehasher haircut. Dariohasthe windowscleaned Have something done

There many other verbs that can be used with causatives. In the active form, some of these verbs require the action verb to have "to" before it. These are some examples of the most common causative verbs. VerbMeaning Form of Action Verb Examples make force, compel plain form - The robbers made us lie on the floor. [No passive form] get same as "have" "to" form - I got Jane to pick me up in the car. - She got her hair cut. letallowplain form - I'll let you borrow my bike. [No passive form]