Causative Verbs

What are Causative Verbs?

Causative Verbs demonstrate that an individual or thing is causing another action or event to occur. They are usually followed by a noun or pronoun and a non-causative infinitive verb that describes the action that was caused to occur.

Commonly used causative verbs are as follows:

let, enable, take, turn, require, force, and many more.

Examples:

"Matilda let her daughter join the volleyball team."
In this sentence, there are two verbs, “let” and “join”. “Let” is the Causative Verb because it is used to indicate that Matilda is letting another verb or action happen, which is -> for her daughter to "join" the volleyball team. Notice that the verb "let" is followed by the noun "daughter" (her daughter), which is also one indication that this verb is the causative verb.

"Listening to music enables me to work better."
There are two verbs in this sentence: “enables” and “to work”.
Enable here is the causative verb because it causes the other verb “to work” to happen. Notice that it is also followed by the pronoun “me”.