Guide to the Causative in English – TOEIC® Preparation

Causative structures in English refer to a system of grammatical constructions used to express the idea that a person delegates an action to a third party or has a task carried out by someone else.

Let's take the example sentence "I had my car washed": we do not specify the identity of the person who washed the vehicle; we simply indicate that this action was performed for me by someone else.

These constructions revolve mainly around the following verbs, each carrying specific semantic nuances.

• Make: to compel or force someone to perform an action
• Have: to delegate a task (frequently to a professional or service provider)
• Get: to convince someone, or to arrange for an action to be carried out
• Let: to give permission, to allow someone to do something
• Help: to assist someone in carrying out an action

The causative is divided into 2 distinct constructions which we will explore in detail in the following two sections:

1. When the agent of the action is not mentioned

In this configuration, the focus is on the process itself or on the result obtained, without identifying the performer. This structure is essentially used to describe services rendered, tasks delegated to professionals, and contexts where the identity of the actor is irrelevant.

A. Have + object (thing) + past participle

This construction indicates that a service or a task was completed for the benefit of the subject by a third party. It is typically used in formal or standard registers.

• I had my laptop repaired last week. (J'ai fait réparer mon ordinateur portable la semaine dernière.)
• She will have her nails done before the wedding. (Elle fera faire ses ongles avant le mariage.)
• They had their apartment renovated last spring. (Ils ont fait rénover leur appartement le printemps dernier.)

B. Get + object (thing) + past participle

"Get" presents a more informal register than have and is often used when there is a dimension of personal effort, negotiation, or active pursuit to achieve the action.

• I got my watch repaired yesterday. (J'ai fait réparer ma montre hier.)
• She's getting her apartment painted this week. (Elle fait repeindre son appartement cette semaine.)
• We'll get the report completed before Monday. (Nous ferons finaliser le rapport avant lundi.)

C. Will need + object (thing) + past participle

This structure emphasizes the future necessity of obtaining a service or a result.

• The contract will need to be reviewed by Friday. (Le contrat devra être révisé d'ici vendredi.)
• The office will need to be renovated after the summer. (Le bureau devra être rénové après l'été.)

D. Want + object (thing) + past participle

This form expresses a desire or an expectation regarding an action that someone else must perform.

• I want this document translated urgently. (Je veux que ce document soit traduit de manière urgente.)
• She wants her dress altered for the ceremony. (Elle veut que sa robe soit retouchée pour la cérémonie.)
• They want the office cleaned before the meeting. (Ils veulent que le bureau soit nettoyé avant la réunion.)

2. When the agent of the action is mentioned

In this configuration, the person responsible for carrying out the action is explicitly identified. This allows emphasis on the actor and signaling whether the action is performed with permission, under duress, or through persuasion.

A. Have + object (person) + base verb

This structure allows entrusting or delegating to a specific person the responsibility of executing a task.

• I had the technician install the software. (J'ai demandé au technicien d'installer le logiciel.)
• She had her colleague prepare the presentation. (Elle a demandé à sa collègue de préparer la présentation.)

B. Make + object (person) + base verb

This construction expresses that someone is forced or compelled to perform an action.

• The manager made the team revise the proposal. (Le responsable a obligé l'équipe à réviser la proposition.)
• My boss made me rewrite the email. (Mon patron m'a obligé à réécrire l'e-mail.)

C. Let + object (person) + base verb

This form expresses authorization given to someone to perform an action.

• My supervisor let me leave early today. (Mon superviseur m'a laissé partir tôt aujourd'hui.)
• She let her colleague use her office. (Elle a laissé son collègue utiliser son bureau.)

D. Will/Would + object (person) + base verb

This structure allows suggesting or insisting that an action be carried out in the future.

• I will have you understand the procedure. (Je vais te faire comprendre la procédure.)
• Would you let me present my idea? (Est-ce que tu me laisserais présenter mon idée ?)

E. Other causative verbs

Several verbs also allow explicitly mentioning the agent with a precise intention (to convince, to authorize, to compel, etc.):

Conclusion

Causative structures allow you to express that a third party performs an action, either by emphasizing the result or the identity of the performer.

Remember the two main categories:

• Without identifying the agent: The emphasis is on the action performed
  • I had my phone repaired.
• By identifying the agent: We specify who acts and in what context
  • I made him complete the task.

Each verb carries a specific nuance: have (to delegate), get (to convince), make (to compel), let (to authorize).

Other resources for TOEIC® preparation

• 🔗 Complete TOEIC® Preparation Program

Ready to take action?

Every rule about causative structures you just learned here, FlowExam helps you transform into concrete points for the TOEIC®, thanks to an intelligent method centered on your real weaknesses. Understanding the theory of the causative is a start. Instantly identifying the correct construction in parts 5 and 6 of the TOEIC® is another matter. FlowExam analyzes you, corrects you, and guides you toward the most profitable areas for improvement. Your training becomes targeted, strategic, and effective.

Some superpowers of the FlowExam platform:

• 150 exclusive tips drawn from the experience of over 200 candidates who scored over 950 on the TOEIC®: clear, concrete, tested, and validated in the field.
• Automatic analysis of your most penalizing errors so you can practice where you lose the most points, without wasting energy.
• Intelligent training system that adapts exercises to your profile and helps you progress faster, without going in circles.
• Flashcards automatically generated from your own mistakes, and optimized by the J method (spaced repetition) for lasting memorization and zero forgetting.
• Personalized learning path, built from your results, to save you time and take you directly toward quick +X points.