1. Exceptional Verbs
(Verbs which are not followed by gerunds or infinitives)
Created by Holly Cin

2. Causative Verbs
 “Causative verbs” are used to express
the idea that X causes Y to do something.
 Causative verbs are have, get, and make.
 Passive causative means that I cause
something to get done by somebody else.

3. Make + object
(followed by the simple verb)
 If I make you do something, I make you do it by force or by compulsion. You’ll do
it, but it will be done against your will.
 For example, in class today, I made Rayan give me his money when I pointed the
gun at him. He had no choice. He did it against his will.
 We have an expression in English that goes, “The devil made me do it.” In other
words, its not my fault because I had no choice.
 (I didn’t want to eat that cake but the devil made me do it!)
 Mothers often make their children eat vegetables.
Musical Lesson: "I Can't Make You Love Me If You Don't," by Bonnie Raitt
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=nW9Cu6GYqxo

This is a song about unrequited love. So sad!

4. Have + object
(followed by the simple verb)
 If I have you do something for me, it means I have
asked you to do something for me.
Example: I had a leak in my bathroom, so I called the
plumber, and I had him fix the leak.
Example: I was very thirsty when I came home so I asked
my son to bring me a glass of water. In other words, I
had him bring me a glass of water. In other words, I
caused him to get me the water.

5. Get + object
(followed by the infinitive)
If I get you to do something, I convince, persuade, or
“encourage” you to do something that you didn't want to do
willingly at first.
Example: Many of the students did not want to make
gerund slides for me, but I got them to do it by reminding
them about letters of recommendation which they might
need from me one day.
Sometimes I get my children to help me with things by
offering them rewards (in other words, by bribing them).
Musical Lesson:

6. Passive Causative:
Have or get + object
(followed by the past participle)
Example: I had my house painted (by the painter). I
paid the painter which caused him to do the work for
me. He agreed to do the work.
Other examples:
I had my nails done (by the manicurist).
I had my hair cut (by the barber or the beautician).
I got my car repaired (by the mechanic).
You have to get your computer fixed (by the guy who
fixes the computers).

7. Other “exceptional” verbs
Let and help
Verbs of Perception

8. Let + object
(followed by the simple verb)
 The lesson to learn here is that the simple verb follows "let,”
as in “let’s go,” “let’s eat,” or “let me help you.”
Musical Lesson:
"Don't Let the Sun Go Down On Me," by Elton John
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=FI5xme5k5AQ
 “If You Love Me, Let Me Know,” by Olivia Newton John
 http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=wnG6i7DWV7M

9. Help + object
(followed by the infinitive or by the simple verb)
 He helped me do my homework.
 He helped me to do my homework.
Both are equally correct.
Can you help him open the door?
Can you help him to open the door?
Again, both are equally correct.
Musical Lesson:
“Help Me, Rhonda,” by the Beach Boys
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=81BjS3k_FZ8
What does the singer want Rhonda to help him (to) do?

10. Verbs of Perception, part 1
 Certain verbs of perception are followed by either the simple verb or the
gerund.
 These verbs are see, notice, watch, look at, observe, hear, listen to, feel, and
smell
 Both of the following sentences are correct and their meaning is similar, but
not the same:
1. I heard the rain fall on the roof.
2. I heard the rain falling on the roof.
So what’s the difference? The gerund form suggests that the event was in
progress; it emphasizes the idea of “while.” In other words, I heard the rain
while it was falling on the roof. However, there really is NOT a big difference
here between the two sentences.

11. Verbs of Perception, part 2:
When there is a difference
 However, sometimes there is a clear difference between
using the simple verb and the gerund after a verb of
perception. The use of the gerund gives the idea that an
activity is already in progress at the point of perception.
 Example 1: When I entered my apartment, I heard my
roommate singing in the shower.
When I heard her, the singing was already in progress.
 Example 2: Last night, I heard Mariah Carey sing.
This means that I heard the singing from beginning to end—the
entire concert. It was not in progress when I first heard it.