Utilising the Causative ‘Have’ – A Comprehensive Insight

Shady Abuyusuf

Wed, 05 Feb 2025

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Introduction

The English language, rich and dynamic, boasts a myriad of grammatical rules and structures allowing for its expressive versatility. One such construct is the causative ‘have’, a special form utilised when someone causes something to occur or forces another to act in a certain manner. This element is utterly vital in establishing relationships of power and authority or simply expressing events outside one’s personal action in English conversation and literature. This article will explore the function and structure of the causative ‘have’, complete with illustrative models from British English.

Understanding the Causative ‘Have’

Within the English language, causatives are utilised when the subject is not performing an action themselves but instead causes, instructs, or allows another person to do so. The causative verb ‘have’ is used in such cases to illustrate that the subject is arranging for something to happen, often through the action of someone else. This implies a certain level of authority, implies the possessing of either literal or metaphorical resources.

In British English grammar, the structure of causative ‘have’ is as follows:

Subject + have + object + past participle 

A few examples of this in practice could be:

1. “I had the plumber fix the leak.”

2. “The manager had the staff stay late.”

3. “She’s having her hair cut on Saturday.”

In the sentences above, the action (fix the leak, stay late, cut hair) is being done by another individual at the behest or arrangement of the subject. The causation is thereby transferred from the one who directly carries out the deed to one who causes it to happen.

A Note on Past Tense and Questions

For past events, the causative ‘have’ follows this structure: 

Subject + had + object + past participle

For instance, “Andy had his house painted last month.”

For questions and negatives, the pattern remains largely consistent with regular ‘have’ usage:

Didn’t you have your car serviced? 

I didn’t have my teeth checked.

Passive Structure and ‘Get’

An alternative to the causative ‘have’ is the causative ‘get’, often used in an identical sense though a bit informal. It is preferred when the subject was personally involved or impacted by the action, hence lending it a more passive alternative:

“I got my car washed.” 

“She’s getting her nails done today.”

In these examples, ‘get’ acts similarly to causative ‘have’, indicating that someone else performed the action.

Conclusion

Through mastering the nuances of the causative ‘have’, individuals can articulate a wider range of circumstances and relationships, describing situations where actions are caused or instigated by one party and executed by others. An understanding of this particular class of verb, therefore, serves as not just a grammatical device, but a tool to finesse and depth to one’s use of the English language.