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Passive Voice vs. Causative Have/Get

Mastering the difference between the passive voice and the causative have/get is essential for success at B2 (FCE) level. This lesson will help you understand, use, and distinguish these two important grammatical structures.

Introduction

In English, we often focus on actions rather than who performs them. The passive voice and the causative have/get are two structures that help us do this. However, they are used in different situations and have different meanings. Understanding when and how to use each one will make your English sound more natural and accurate, especially in exams like FCE.

Theory Explanation

1. Passive Voice

The passive voice is used when the focus is on the action or the object of the action, not on who does it. The person who does the action (the agent) is often unknown or unimportant.

Structure Subject + form of „be” + past participle (+ by + agent)

Example: The car was repaired (by the mechanic).

2. Causative Have/Get

The causative have/get is used when you arrange for someone else to do something for you. It emphasizes that you cause the action, but do not do it yourself.

Structure Subject + have/get + object + past participle

Example: I had my car repaired (by the mechanic).

Practical Examples

Passive Voice
  • The windows are cleaned every week.
  • The homework was finished on time.
  • A new bridge will be built next year.
Causative Have/Get
  • She had her hair cut yesterday.
  • We are having our house painted.
  • He got his bike fixed.

Highlighted Grammatical Structures

Passive be + past participle e.g. The cake was made.
Causative have/get + object + past participle e.g. I had my cake made.

Common Learner Mistakes

  • Incorrect: I was repaired my car.
    Correct: I had my car repaired.
  • Incorrect: My hair was cut me.
    Correct: I had my hair cut.
  • Incorrect: I had cut my hair.
    Correct: I had my hair cut.

Exam-Focused Tips

  • Read the sentence carefully: Decide if the subject does the action, receives the action, or arranges for it.
  • Look for clues: If someone pays, arranges, or asks for a service, use the causative.
  • Check the verb form: Passive uses „be” + past participle; causative uses „have/get” + object + past participle.
  • In transformations: Change from active to passive or to causative as required, and adjust the sentence structure accordingly.

Summary

The passive voice is used when the action or object is more important than the person who does it. The causative have/get is used when someone arranges for another person to do something. Remember to use the correct structure and check your verb forms, especially in exam tasks.

Interactive Practice

Choose the correct form: Passive Voice or Causative Have/Get.

1. My laptop ____ (fix) yesterday.
2. She ____ her car washed every Saturday.
3. The documents ____ (send) by courier tomorrow.
4. I ____ my hair cut every two months.

Recommended Study Materials

Exam Level Topic Description Link
B2 / FCE Passive Voice vs. Causative Have/Get A mini test to practice distinguishing between the passive voice and causative structures at B2/C1 level. Download PDF