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.

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."

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

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.

This segment lays out the building blocks of a passive causative construction. We also compare and contrast causative constructions with other similar constructions. Sigrid uses the expression "to mix and match," which means putting different things together in different ways.

It's time to mix and match the formulas we've talked about. Sigrid mixes and matches them to talk about stuff she can't or doesn't want to do herself. She invites you to do the same.

Sigrid takes a walk in Huntington on New Year's Day. She talks as she walks, thinking about the year to come and about the changes to the area since she had last been there.

Sigrid continues walking up the hill and into the park on her right. She finds a little trail through the woods and then heads back to town.

Barbara is a retired French teacher who happens to be Sigrid's sister. The two have a conversation about language in general and about how Barbara became interested in the career path she followed.

Barbara talks about her studies and other experiences that led to her career as a French teacher. Immersion played a crucial role for both sisters in learning new languages.

Barbara talks about the different jobs she had teaching both French and English. Later, she also had a job supervising teachers of foreign languages, though she notes that these are now referred to as "world languages."

Jasmin loves having a job where she can promote diversity, and she tells us all about her work helping international students to integrate and enjoy their free time at university.

Barbara talks about a mistake she made as a language supervisor. Sigrid talks about how people in the U.S. speak English even when they have a very strong accent and it's OK. They both agree that learning with a native speaker of the language is the best way to learn.