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Causative constructions When one does not carry out an action oneself but rather has the action done by someone else, this is expressed by a causative construction. > In English it is the verb "to
have" that introduces the causative: "to
have" (conjuguated) + direct objet
(noun or pronoun) + main verb (in its
past participle form):
> When one wishes to designate the agent
of the action (the person who has carried out the described action),
there are two possibilities:
2. -- "to have" (conjuguated)
+ agent (as a direct object noun or pronoun)
+ main verb (in its infinitive form)
+ the object (also in the form of a direct
object noun or pronoun)
Note: Especially in spoken English, the
verb "to get" often replaces
"to have," in which case "to"
is added to the infinitive (but not before past participles). This
construction also suggests that it may be (or have been) difficult
to produce a certain reaction on the part of the agent:
> When one wishes to express a change
in temperament or in general conditions, it is the construction "to
make + adjectif" which is used: |
TEST Build causatives sentences, as in this example: He went to the hairdresser's (His father...) -> His father had him go to the hairdresser's. 1. He stayed in bed. (The nurse...)
ANSWERS 1. The nurse had him stay in bed. 2. I will get him to apologize to you.3. We had him admit that he was wrong. |