C2 Mastery Advanced ellipsis and causatives
Advanced causative structures
Lesson goal. After this lesson you can use advanced causative structures (have/get sth done, get sb to do, make sb do) with the correct nuance.
When to use it
- Having/getting someone else to do something for you: I had my car repaired.
- Emphasising completion, sometimes with effort: She finally got her thesis done.
- Persuading someone to do something: She got her brother to fix the printer.
- Forcing someone to do something: The manager made us stay late.
Form
| Structure | Form |
|---|---|
| have + object + V3 | arrange for someone else to do it (neutral) |
| get + object + V3 | manage to get something done, sometimes with effort |
| get + sb + to V | persuade someone to do something |
| make + sb + V (base form, no to) | force someone to do something |
Step by step
- have/get sth done: object + V3 (past participle) — the speaker doesn't do it themselves but has someone else do it.
- get sb to do: followed by to V — always implies persuasion or effort.
- make sb do: followed by the base verb, WITHOUT to — implies force, stronger than get/ask.
- Comparing have and get sth done: get usually emphasises effort/difficulty in getting it done more than have.
Comparing the 4 causative structures
| Structure | Nuance |
|---|---|
| have sth done | neutral, using a service |
| get sth done | stresses completion, sometimes with difficulty |
| get sb to do | needs persuading |
| make sb do | obligation, strong |
Examples
We had the house painted before the guests arrived.
It took a lot of effort, but she finally got her thesis done.
After a lot of persuasion, I got her to review the contract.
The strict teacher made us rewrite the whole essay.
Common mistakes
The teacher made the students to redo the assignment. → The teacher made the students redo the assignment.
After make + object, the following verb has no 'to': made the students redo.
She had her report translate by a professional. → She had her report translated by a professional.
have + object + V3 (past participle): had her report translated, not translate.
I made him to apologise, so he wasn't really sorry. → I made him apologise, but that doesn't mean he was really sorry.
make sb do has no 'to'; also remember make implies strong compulsion, not just a suggestion.
Memory tip
Remember the 'to or no to' rule: have/get sth done (V3); get sb to do (with to); make sb do (base form, no to).
Summary
- have/get + object + V3 = have/get someone else to do something.
- get + sb + to V = persuade someone to do something.
- make + sb + V (no to) = force someone to do something, stronger than get/ask.
Practise this lesson
Do exercises with an explanation for every question, take mini tests and track your progress on GrammUp.