English Grammar Exercises for B1 – The causative exercise

A. Complete each second sentence using the correct form of have so that it has a similar meaning to the first sentence.

1   Let’s arrange for someone to knock that wall down.

     Let’s ………………………… that wall knocked down.

2   We paid someone to deliver the furniture.

     We ………………………… the furniture delivered.

3   I’m going to pay someone to paint this wall.

     I’m ………………………… this wall painted.

4   Has anyone printed the invitations for you yet?

     ………………………… you ………………………… the invitations printed yet?

5   You should arrange for someone to fix your mobile.

     You should ………………………… your mobile fixed.

6   When did you dye your hair?

     When ………………………… you ………………………… your hair dyed?

7   A vet is looking at Lucy at the moment.

     They ………………………… Lucy looked at by a vet at the moment.

8   I haven’t taken my suit to the dry-cleaner’s yet.

     I ………………………… my suit dry-cleaned yet

B. Complete using the correct form of the verbs in the box.

1   I have my teeth ……………………….. by a dentist every six months.

2   My mum has just had her hair ……………………….. by a hairdresser in the town centre.

3   The car broke down, so we had it ……………………….. by a mechanic.

4   Let’s get a pizza ……………………….. before the film starts.

5   Did you get your book ……………………….. by the author?

6   Garry is going to have his face ……………………….. blue for the party!

C. If the phrase in bold is correct, put a tick (✓). If it is wrong, write the correct phrase.

1   Mandy is having cut her hair at the moment.   ……………………….

2   I might have the house redecorated next summer.   ……………………….

3   Our dog loves having his back scratching.   ……………………….

4   The receptionist had the suitcases brought up to the room.   ……………………….

5   We’re not going to have costumes make for the play.   ……………………….

6   How often do you have checked your teeth?   ……………………….

7   You don’t like having your photo taken, do you?   ……………………….

D. Look at the pictures and complete the sentences. Use the causative.

1   Three times a day, a giraffe called Gloria does the washing-up for Mr Lazylion.

     Three times a day, Mr Lazylion ………………………………………………….. .

2   At the moment, Harry Hippo is cleaning Mr Lazylion’s car.

     At the moment, Mr Lazylion ………………………………………………….. .

3   Later, the Mice Sisters will cook Mr Lazylion’s supper.

     Later, Mr Lazylion ………………………………………………….. .

4   Ellie Phant has just brushed Mr Lazylion’s hair.

     Mr Lazylion ………………………………………………….. .

5   Mr Lazylion loves it when Marty Monkey tickles his feet.

     Mr Lazylion loves ………………………………………………….. .

6   George is making a suit for Mr Lazylion.

     Mr Lazylion ………………………………………………….. .

E. Circle the correct word or phrase.

Mr Lazylion had a problem. The animals were refusing to help him.

Mr Lazylion had had things (1) doing / done for him (2) by / with the other animals for so long that he didn’t know what to do. He (3) hadn’t had / hadn’t his meals prepared for him for two days now, and he was starting to get hungry.

So, he had some Chinese food (4) delivering / delivered – all the way from China. That filled him up, but it’s not easy to (5) get / be food delivered in the jungle. He couldn’t do that every day. What was he going to do?

He felt very sad. He really wanted to have (6) brushed his hair / his hair brushed by Ellie and his feet (7) tickling / tickled by Marty, but they just said ‘No’.

There was only one solution, and Mr Lazylion didn’t like it at all. He would have to start doing things for himself.