15+ Causative Verb Examples:Sentences And Detailed Explanations

This article will provide you with a short definition for causative verbs, along with 15 + causative verb examples with detailed explanations. 

Causative verbs are those verbs which communicate the cause or reason behind something happening. They do not indicate what a subject does for themselves, but what the subject gets someone else to do for them. 

Now, let us look at some examples of how causative verbs may be used in sentences. 

  1. Nikhil lets his sister borrow his car, but she is not allowed to drive it outside of Mumbai. 
  2. Don’t let the dogs out when it is so cold outside. 
  3. He let his friend take the blame for him. 
  4. Betty used to let Archie copy her homework before she found out that he shared her answers with Veronica. 
  5. You should allow your cut to heal before going swimming again. 
  6. Rishabh is not permitted to go out by himself after 9 pm. 
  7. Before Kartikay left for his school trip, his mother made him promise that he would be careful and wouldn’t do anything rash. 
  8. Shyla is always making Rhea watch movies that she isn’t interested in. 
  9. She made a pact with Lisa that they would always be friends. 
  10. I am being forced to take dance classes even though I do not like dancing. 
  11. In order to graduate, you are required to have 80% attendance over the school year. 
  12. The doctor told Mehr that she had to lose weight to get better skin. 
  13. Rohan has to walk his dog every morning before he goes to school. 
  14. Whoever receives the highest marks in today’s test will get a special treat from me. 
  15. The teacher asked Nivedita to help her warm up the class for today’s PE lesson. 
  16. Could you please help me clean the house after the party? 

Now, let’s look at some detailed explanations for the causative verb examples: 

Nikhil lets his sister borrow his car on the weekends.  

In this example, Nikhil is the subject, his “sister” is the object, and “borrow” is the base form of the verb the object is allowed to perform by the subject. The causative verb “lets” implies allowing someone to do something. 

Don’t let the dogs out when it is so cold outside.  

In this example, “let” is the causative verb, and “dogs” is the object (as it is receiving the action of the verb). 

He let his friend take the blame for him. 

In this example, “he” is the subject, “let” is a causative verb, “friend” is the object, and “taking the blame” is the base verb. 

Betty used to let Archie copy her homework before she found out that he shared her answers with Veronica. 

In this example, “let” is the causative verb,  Betty is the subject, Archie is the object, and “copy” is the base verb. 

You should allow your cut to heal before going swimming again. 

In this example, “allow” is the causative verb—which is a synonym of “let.” “You” is the subject, the “cut” is the object, and “heal” is the base verb. 

Rishabh is not permitted to go out by himself after 9 pm. 

In this example, “permitted” is the causative verb, and it is a synonym of “let.” Meanwhile, “Rishabh” is the object and “going out” is the base verb. 

Before Kartikay left for his school trip, his mother made him promise that he would be careful and wouldn’t do anything rash. 

The causative verb “make” means that forcing someone to do something you ask them to. In this sentence, the “mother” is the subject, “Kartikay”  is the object to “be careful” is the base verb. 

Shyla is always making Rhea watch movies that she isn’t interested in. 

In this example, “making” is the causative verb, “Shyla” is the subject, Rhea is the object, and “watch movies” is the base verb. 

She made a pact with Lisa that they would always be friends. 

In this sentence, “she” is the subject, “made” a pact is the causative verb, “be” friends is the base verb, and “Lisa” is the object. 

I am being forced to take dance classes even though I do not like dancing. 

In this sentence, “forced” is a causative verb which implies that someone is being made to do something against their will. “I” is the object, and “take” dance classes is the base verb. 

In order to graduate, you are required to have 80% attendance over the school year. 

In this sentence, “required” is the causative verb, “you” is the object, and “have” 80% attendance is the base verb. The causative verb “required” is a synonym of other causative verbs such as “make” and “forced,” and implies that something is necessary. 

The doctor told Mehr that she had to lose weight to get better skin. 

The causative verb “had” is used when something is compulsory for a subject to do. In this sentence, “doctor” is the subject, “Mehr” is the object, and “lose” weight is the base verb. 

Rohan has to walk his dog every morning before he goes to school. 

In this example, “has” is the causative verb, “Rohan” is the object, and “walk” his dog is the base verb. 

Whoever receives the highest marks in today’s test will get a special treat from me. 

The causative verb “get” is used when you are convincing someone to do something by giving them an incentive. In this example, “whoever” is the object and “me” is the subject. 

The teacher asked Nivedita to help her warm up the class for today’s PE lesson. 

The causative verb “help” is used when you ask someone to assist you with something. In this example, the “teacher” is the subject, “Nivedita” is the object, and warming up the class is the base verb. 

Could you please help me clean the house after the party? 

In this example, “you” is the object, “help” is the causative verb, “me” is the subject, and “clean” the house is the base verb. 

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