What are causatives? Causal verbs are used to cause things to happen. They're used in causative constructions. Although there are various specific verbs in this category, we commonly use four ordinary verbs for this: ("have," "let," "get," and "make"). Let's make some sense of them.

Sing along with this popular Christmas song, an ode to a fondly remembered white Christmas that features a dreamy blanket of freshly fallen snow!

As well as guidebooks, Jenny brings her sister Mandy a gift to encourage her to have more fun on her Paris holiday. As Jenny leaves for a date with boyfriend, Quinn, she bumps into Will, Mandy’s new neighbor.

Enjoy another walk through the fields with porcine brothers Piggeldy and Frederick. This time Piggeldy wants to learn about “fernweh” [the yen for faraway places].

Mandy says goodbye to her kids before she and her husband leave on their long-awaited honeymoon. But suddenly, her parents are unable to provide childcare, and it's too late to hire a babysitter. Can Aunt Jennifer be trusted to fill in?

Jasmin feels lucky to belong to two very different countries and cultures, and enjoys telling us some interesting facts about India and England.

Now that you have an idea about what causal verbs and causal constructions are, let's give them some context. We're still using the verbs "have," "let," "get," and "make," and the theme is housepainting.

Let's look "under the hood," and see how to build causative constructions using "have," "let," "get," and "make."

In the song “Somewhere Only We Know,” from their debut album Hopes and Fears, English rock band Keane seem to revisit a place they know very well from days gone by, taking time to reflect, and contemplate.

After her sister reluctantly leaves her in charge, Jennifer is shocked by the complex plans and arrangements made for the kids. She drops into work to explain that she needs to take some time off, and promises to make up the time.

Jennifer drops her niece off at soccer practice and notices that she’s being bullied by other girls. When bringing the kids home, she meets Will again and has another nice chat with him. That evening, Jennifer’s cooking talents come under scrutiny when she prepares her first dinner for the kids.

Rosie and Alex are best friends, but get separated when Alex moves from Dublin to America. Can their friendship survive? And will they acknowledge their feelings for one another?

Jasmin reveals some Christmas traditions in the UK, including exactly which day they celebrate, and more importantly, what’s on the Christmas menu!

Even though her sister still doesn't trust her, Jennifer's got thing more or less under control. The next day, she has all the children’s lunches ready in time for school, gives Flo an early birthday present, and makes a deal with Alice, who’s pushing the boundaries with her mom away.

Sigrid introduces passive causative constructions, which combine causal verbs and the passive voice. We use them all the time in everyday conversation when we focus on the object rather than the subject.