IELTS Causative Verb Form Exercises

Causative Verb Forms (have/get something done)

Rule Explanation

The causative form is a grammatical structure used to indicate that the subject arranges for someone else to perform an action. It follows the pattern have/get + object + past participle. This is essential for IELTS candidates aiming to demonstrate a wide range of sentence structures.

In formal contexts, have is preferred:

• Present simple: “I have my car serviced every month.”
• Past simple: “She had her document translated yesterday.”

In informal contexts, get is common:

• Present perfect: “I have got my hair cut twice this month.”
• Past simple: “He got his application processed quickly.”

Tense variations allow flexibility:

• Present perfect: “They have had their website redesigned recently.”
• Future simple: “We will have the house cleaned before the guests arrive.”
• Past perfect: “By the time I called, I had had my printer repaired.”

Key formation:

• Subject + have/get + object + past participle
• Negative: place not after have/get (e.g., “I didn’t have my car washed”).
• Question: invert auxiliary and subject (e.g., “Did you get the contract signed?”).

Difference from passive voice:

• Passive: “The mechanic repaired the car.” (Focus on the action.)
• Causative: “I had the car repaired.” (Emphasizes the arrangement.)

Common pitfalls:

• Using active constructions incorrectly, e.g., “I had cleaned the room” vs. “I had the room cleaned.”
• Omitting the object: “She had cleaned” (incomplete) vs. “She had her shoes cleaned.”
• Confusing “get” with causative pattern when a person is involved: “I got him to fix the leak” (requires “to”).

In IELTS writing or speaking, mastering this structure demonstrates grammatical range and accuracy, which can boost your band score.

Error Explanation Model

Student: “I have my dinner cooked by my mother every Sunday.” Feedback: This correctly uses the causative with “have,” but in academic style you might rephrase to active voice. Still, it shows advanced grammatical control.

Examples

• Correct: I had my car washed by a professional every month. (An arranged service.)
• Correct: She got her hair cut before the wedding. (Informal causative with “get.”)
• Correct: They won’t have the contract signed until next Monday. (Future arrangement.)

Practice Question

Choose the correct option to complete the sentence:

Last month, Sarah _____ her hair dyed platinum blonde.

A) had
B) has
C) will have
D) having

Show Answer

Answer: A) had
Explanation: The simple past tense had + object + past participle shows that Sarah arranged for someone to dye her hair last month.

Key Takeaways

• Recognize and apply have/get + object + past participle to show arranged actions.
• Practice grammar correction examples with Lingo Copilot