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ESL forum >
Message board > A question for native speakers
A question for native speakers
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Pretty3
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A question for native speakers
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Hi, I am wondering about using a causative form in the spoken language. We teach it in grammar but is it used in the spoken language ?? e.g. Do you say: I cut my hair or I had my hair cut ??? Waiting your replies Thank you :) |
2 Feb 2016
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cunliffe
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Hi Pretty, We say �I had or I �ve had my hair cut. � �I �ve had my hair done � �I �ve had my hair dyed �... unless you do it yourself, after a bottle of wine on a Saturday night, in which case you say �I cut my hair, � (American English) or �I �ve cut my hair � (English English). I �m not advocating this course of action, of course.  |
2 Feb 2016
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almaz
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Yes, Pretty, the causative is certainly used in spoken English (British, American and most other standard variations). As you�re probably aware, a causative verb is one that "indicates that some person or thing brings about (or helps to bring about) a new state of affairs".
Although there are others such as allow, force and help, the four major traditional causative verbs are make, get, have and cause; these are followed by another verb which describes the resulting action or state: Her silly comments made us laugh. I can never get my son to behave himself on a plane. I always have my hair done at Fazzio�s. Storm Henry has caused many rivers in the west of Scotland to burst their banks. Hope this helps. Alex
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2 Feb 2016
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redcamarocruiser
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In my area you can also say I got my hair cut or I got a haircut. |
2 Feb 2016
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alien boy
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Where I �m from you could use either, but �I had my hair cut � is more formal/educated/adult in register, while �I cut my hair � is casual/juvenile in register. |
2 Feb 2016
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