One-Point English Lesson: Causative + Infinitive

Introduction

Welcome to NJCLT's One-Point English Lesson on the causative + infinitive construction. In this lesson, we will explore this grammatical structure which allows you to express situations where someone or something causes another person to do something. By mastering the causative + infinitive, you'll be able to upgrade your English communication skills and enhance your ability to convey various concepts effortlessly.

What is the Causative + Infinitive?

The causative + infinitive is a construction used in English to indicate that someone or something causes another person to perform an action. It implies that the person performing the action is not doing so willingly, but rather because of an external factor or influence. By utilizing this structure, you can express a wide range of ideas, from assigning tasks to describing arrangements or even discussing personal experiences.

Usage of Causative + Infinitive

The causative + infinitive can be used in several ways:

1. Giving Orders or Instructions

When you want to direct someone to perform a task, you can use the causative + infinitive. For example:

• She had her assistant send the important documents to the client.
• They will have the mechanic fix their car tomorrow.

2. Arranging for Services

If you need someone to provide a service for you, you can utilize the causative + infinitive construction. Take a look at these examples:

• I had my hair cut at the new salon downtown.
• They had their house painted by a professional team.

3. Expressing Personal Experiences

The causative + infinitive can also be used to describe situations where another person's actions or decisions have influenced your personal experiences. Consider these illustrations:

• I've had my car stolen twice this year.
• He had his wallet taken while traveling abroad.

Examples

Here are a few more examples to solidify your understanding of the causative + infinitive:

Example 1

"She had her assistant book a table at the restaurant for the important clients."

In this sentence, the subject (she) caused her assistant to perform the action of booking a table at the restaurant.

Example 2

"They will have a professional designer create their new company logo."

In this example, the subject (they) will arrange for a professional designer to perform the action of creating their new company logo.

Example 3

"We had our old furniture taken away by a charity organization."

Here, the subject (we) caused someone from a charity organization to perform the action of taking away their old furniture.

Conclusion

Congratulations! You have now learned about the causative + infinitive construction in English. By practicing and incorporating this structure into your conversations, you can express a wider variety of ideas and command more control over spoken and written English. Remember, mastering grammatical concepts is key to becoming a confident English speaker. Start using the causative + infinitive in your daily communication and watch your language skills soar.