Make vs Let vs Have: The Causative Verbs Explained

All three cause someone else to do something, but who is in control, and whether they had a choice, changes which one is correct.

Answer 3 quick questions

Are you forcing or requiring someone to do something, whether they want to or not?

make→"My mom made me clean my room."

Are you giving permission or allowing something to happen?

let→"She let us leave early."

Are you arranging for someone else to do a task for you, usually a service?

have→"I had the mechanic fix my car."

Each word on its own

causative verb

Forces an action, the subject has no choice.

"The teacher made us rewrite the essay."

causative verb

Permits or allows an action to happen.

"He let the dog out into the yard."

causative verb

Arranges for someone else to perform a task.

"We had a plumber fix the sink."

Force it, use make. Allow it, use let. Arrange it, use have.

Tap a card to see how it's used.

maketap to flip

Forces an action, the subject has no choiceThe teacher made us rewrite the essay.

lettap to flip

Permits or allows an action to happenHe let the dog out into the yard.

havetap to flip

Arranges for someone else to perform a taskWe had a plumber fix the sink.

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