Making Something Happen
Causative Verbs
'Make' and 'have' are also used as causative verbs. Causative verbs are similar to the passive form because they are used to express the idea of someone causing something to take place.
Example:
Where did you have Peter move the futures information?
When did he have his mother pay off the escrow?
Extended credit didn't make this client's credit report improve.
Causative Verb Make
Use 'make' as a causative to express that the subject requires others to take the desired action.
Positive Form:
Subject + Make + Person + Verb
We made the clients come in on short notice.
Negative Form:
Subject + Auxiliary Verb + Not Make + Person + Verb
Our organization won't make our customers accept nonconforming products.
Question Form:
(Wh?) Auxiliary Verb + Subject + Make + Person + Verb
Causative Verb Have
Use 'have' as a causative to express that the subject requests others to take the desired action. The causative verb 'have' is most often used when speaking about various services. There are two forms of the causative verb 'have'
Positive Form:
Subject + Make + Person + Verb
Negative Form:
Subject + Auxiliary Verb + Not Make + Person + Verb
The department did not have the staff arrange the deferred payments quickly.
Question Form:
(Wh?) Auxiliary Verb + Subject + Make + Person + Verb
When did he have his mother pay off the escrow?