English Assignment

Let / Make / Have / Get

The following is a mini-tutorial on the use of the causative verbs "let," "make," "have," and "get." After
you have studied the tutorial, complete the associated exercises. If you already know how to use these
verbs, you can skip the explanation and go directly to the exercises.
Let
FORM [let + person + verb]
USE This construction means "to allow someone to do something."
Examples:
John let me drive his new car.
Will your parents let you go to the party?
I don't know if my boss will let me take the day off.

Make
FORM [make + person + verb]
USE This construction means "to force someone to do something."
Examples:
My teacher made me apologize for what I had said.
Did somebody make you wear that ugly hat?
She made her children do their homework.

Have
FORM [have + person + verb]
USE This construction means "to give someone the responsibility to do something."
Examples:
Dr. Smith had his nurse take the patient's temperature.
Please have your secretary fax me the information.
I had the mechanic check the brakes.

Get
FORM [get + person + to + verb]
USE This construction usually means "to convince to do something" or "to trick
someone into doing something."
Examples:
Susie got her son to take the medicine even though it tasted terrible.
How can parents get their children to read more?
The government TV commercials are trying to get people to stop smoking.

Get vs. Have

Sometimes "get someone to do something" is interchangeable with "have someone do something," but
these expressions do not mean exactly the same thing.
Examples:
I got the mechanic to check my brakes.
At first the mechanic didn't think it was necessary, but I convinced him to check the brakes.
I had the mechanic check my brakes.
I asked the mechanic to check the brakes.

Functions
A. We use causative have when arranging for someone to do something for us.
Examples; 1. They repaired their car. (they did it themselves)
2. They had their car repaired. (they arranged for someone to repair it)
3. I cut my hair yesterday. (I cut it myself)
4. I had my hair cut yesterday. (I went to the hairdresser)

B. We also use causative have when someone does something to us.

example: Bill had his money stolen by a thief.
Important points
Get is possible instead of have, usually in informal spoken English.
example ; I'm going to get my car fixed tomorrow.

We can also use have someone do something to talk about giving instructions or orders which is
more common in American English.
example ; I had my assistant type the report.
I'll have my lawyer look into it.

Before doing the following Gap-fill Exercise Learn about Causative Verbs (Let,
Make, Have, Get)
Complete the sentences below using the correct form of the verbs "let," "make," "have," and "get,"
1. Sam really wanted a dog, but his parents wouldn't him have a pet.
2. I can't believe she you look at her vacation pictures again last night. We have to look at
those stupid pictures every time we go to her house.
3. I don't know how you convince your children to clean up their rooms. I couldn't my
children to clean up their rooms if my life depended on it.
4. Professor Yu each of her students write an essay describing their future goals in life.
5. Professor Yu her students use a dictionary while they were taking the test.
6. Debbie's husband hates the opera. But after days of nagging, she finally him to go see
the new production of La Boheme.
7. Sally me take off my shoes before I went into her house. She said she wanted to keep
the carpet clean.
8. Rebecca Smith requested a copy of that expense report, so I the courier take one over to
her last week.
9. Diane thinks television is a waste of time, so she won't her children watch TV.
10. Mr. Levine his secretary call Ms. Jackson and reconfirm their meeting on Thursday.
11. Marcus me drive his new BMW. I couldn't believe how quickly it picked up speed.
12. How did you the doctor to make a house call? I haven't heard of a doctor actually going
to a patient's house in years.
13. My boss me get him coffee, pick up his dry cleaning and buy presents for his wife. He
can't do anything by himself!
14. Tommy didn't want to go to his cousin's birthday party, but his mom him go.
15. I can't believe the zoo keeper you feed the snake. That was so cool!
16. The contract was very detailed, and it was essential that the wording be absolutely correct.
Therefore, I the translator recheck his work several times to make sure there would be
no misunderstandings.
17. Cheryl didn't want to wash her car, so with a little smooth talk she her boyfriend to
wash it for her.
18. If you ask me nicely, I'll you lick the bowl after I make the cookies.
19. Dr. Jackson the nurse monitor the patient's condition overnight.
20. The news coverage of the recent tornado was incredibly moving. The interview with the little
boy who lost his family in the tragedy everyone cry.
Grammar: causative have
Rewrite these sentences using to have something done.
Eg: The hairdresser cut his hair last week.
He had his hair cut last week.

1: Some builders are repairing the roof of our house.

We the roof of our house .

2: The dressmaker has shortened these trousers for me.

I these trousers .

3: Someone stole all my friend's money while she was on the beach.
My friend her money while she was on the beach.

4: A photographer took photos of the bridal couple.

The bridal couple .
5: A famous artist is going to paint her portrait.
She .
Taken from: http://www.englishpage.com/minitutorials/let.html
http://www.eslbase.com/grammar/causative
http://www.ih.hu/exercises/advanced/g5.htm
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The Causative to have something done (8th form)

[ We use the expression to have something done ( have + object + past participle) to say:
That somebody does something for you. Usually theyre things that are difficult to do yourself or you
dont want to do yourself.
That something unpleasant happened to somebody.

[ Questions and negations of the verb have are formed with do/does or did.

[ We can use the verb get instead of the verb have only in informal conversation.

Present simple He paints the house He has the house painted.

Present continuous He is painting the house. He is having the house painted.
Past simple He painted the house. He had the house painted.
Past continuous He was painting the house. He was having the house painted.
Future simple He will paint the house. He will have the house painted.
Future continuous He will be painting the house. He will be having the house painted.
Present perfect He has painted the house. He has had the house painted.
Present perfect continuous He has been painting the house. He has been having the house painted.
Past perfect He had painted the house. He had had the house painted.
Past perfect continuous He had been painting the house. He had been having the house painted.
Infinitive He must paint the house. He must have the house painted.
-ing form Its worth painting the house. Its worth having the house painted.

PRACTICE

Test 3. Rewrite these sentences using to have something done

1) They serviced Kens car yesterday. Ken

2) Theyre repairing our roof at the moment. We
3) Theyre going to fit a stereo in my car. I
4) Someone cleans Sues flat once a week. Sue
5) Has anyone tested your eyes recently? Have you..?
6) Someone stole Johns briefcase last week. John
7) Someone cleans her house. She.
8) Someone cooks her meals. She
9) Someone washes her clothes. She.
10) Somebody cleans her windows. She
11) Somebody serviced her car. She
12) Somebody does her shopping. She..
13) Somebody looks after her garden. She..
14) Somebody posts her letters . She..
15) Their windows need to be cleaned. They need
16) The hairdresser was styling Mrs Browns hair. Mrs Brown
17) She told her son to carry the shopping to the house. She. ..
18) Dad is going to arrange for someone to cut the grass . Dad is going
19) They used to employ a cleaner who cleaned the house. They used
20) Did the mechanic repair Pauls motorbike? Did Paul..?

Test 4. Rewrite the sentences using HAVE SOMETHING DONE

1) His teeth are checked twice a year.

2) Her skirt is being cleaned at the moment.
3) My hair is trimmed once a month.
4) Central heating is going to be installed in our house next month.
5) Sams burglar alarm was fitted last week.
6) My car is being repaired at the moment.
7) The bands new single has just been recorded.
8) Our new furniture is going to be delivered tomorrow.
9) Their new house is being decorated at the moment.
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10) The windows will be cleaned.

Test 5. Rewrite the sentences using HAVE SOMETHING DONE

1) A new jumper has been knitted for me.

2) The lock has to be fixed.
3) A new pair of glasses is going to be made for him.
4) Their windows need to be cleaned.
5) The hairdresser was styling Mrs Browns hair.
6) She told her son to carry the shopping to the house.
7) Dad is going to arrange for someone to cut the grass.
8) They used to employ a cleaner who cleaned the house.
9) Did the mechanic repair Pauls motorbike?
10) The boss asked his assistant to type the letter.

Test 6. Rewrite the sentences using HAVE SOMETHING DONE

1) A plumber fixed the dripping tap for Joe.

2) Have you told the secretary to make some photocopies?
3) The chef was cooking Toms lunch.
4) Did you tell the shop to deliver the sofa to you?
5) My purse was stolen last Friday.
6) Did you employ a painter to decorate your house?
7) The builders are putting a new roof on Adams house at the moment.
8) She asked the maid to polish the silver.
9) The man had asked the porter to take his luggage to his room.
10) Did you ask Jenny to arrange the flowers for you?

Test 7. Rewrite the sentences using HAVE SOMETHING DONE

1) When will your glasses be made?

2) I hired a professional to cater for my party.
3) Did you ask anyone to sweep the chimney?
4) She asked him to do the shopping.
5) Their house was burgled last night.
6) He employed a carpenter to build the fence.
7) Julies housekeeper irons all her clothes.
8) His shops windows were smashed in the riot.
9) Pete must have sent this letter.
10) He should plant some more flowers.

Test 8. Rewrite the sentences using HAVE SOMETHING DONE

1) The hairdresser is cutting my hair on Tuesday.

2) Did a professional make the cake for you?
3) Somebody stole my car last weekend.
4) An electrician fitted the new lights for Sandra.
5) The woman had asked the waiter to bring the bill to the table.
6) They employed a plumber to fit the shower.
7) Have you asked the secretary to fax the contract to Mr Brown?
8) Alans mum washes all his clothes.
9) The mechanic at the garage serviced their car.
10) He told the student to clean the blackboard.

Test 9. Rewrite the sentences using HAVE SOMETHING DONE

1. My windows are cleaned twice a month.

2. The stars latest film has just been released.
3. Their swimming pool will be drained.
4. The carpets must be laid in our flat by Monday.
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5. The brakes on my bike have been oiled.

6. Our desks are being painted at the moment.
7. Her bookcase was delivered last week.
8. A new computer has been ordered for me.
9. Annies sculptures are going to be exhibited tomorrow.
10. A skateboard was being made for Tim.

Test 10. Rewrite the sentences using HAVE SOMETHING DONE

1) Holly is going to ask Mary to sew her dress.

2) Someone has tidied the garden for Mark.
3) When will they fix his telephone?
4) Pat pays someone to clean the windows every week.
5) Can you tell someone to move those boxes?
6) When will they deliver Dans sofa?
7) Howard should ask someone to deliver the package.
8) When will you service the car?
9) Pay someone to make the curtains for you.
10) Someone has shortened Alices skirt.