infinitivecausative

Infinitive causative refers to a grammatical construction in English where an infinitive verb is used to express causation. This construction typically involves a verb of causation followed by an object and then the infinitive form of another verb. The subject of the main clause is the agent causing the action expressed by the infinitive. Common causative verbs used in this structure include "have," "get," and "make."

The causative "have" generally implies that the subject arranged for someone else to perform an action. For example, "I had my car washed" means I paid someone or arranged for someone to wash my car. The causative "get" is similar to "have" but is often considered more informal and implies that the subject persuaded or convinced someone to perform the action. An example is "She got her brother to help her with her homework." The causative "make" denotes compelling or forcing someone to do something. For instance, "The teacher made the students stay after class."

These causative constructions are distinct from simple transitive verbs where the subject directly performs the action. In infinitive causatives, the subject is indirectly involved by causing the action to happen through another person. Understanding these structures is crucial for comprehending nuances of meaning and expressing indirect agency in English.