Passive Causative Constructions are an essential grammatical structure that frequently appears in IELTS exams. These constructions allow speakers to express situations where someone causes an action to be done by someone else, without necessarily specifying who performs the action. Mastering this structure can significantly enhance your IELTS score, particularly in the Writing and Speaking sections.
Passive Causative in IELTS
Understanding Passive Causative Constructions
Passive causative constructions are used to describe situations where someone arranges for an action to be done by someone else. This structure is particularly useful in formal writing and speaking, making it valuable for IELTS candidates aiming for higher band scores.
Basic Formula and Grammar Rules
The basic formula for passive causative constructions is:
Subject + have/get + object + past participle
Let’s break down this structure with some examples:
- “I had my car repaired yesterday.”
- “They got their house painted last month.”
- “She’s having her hair cut this afternoon.”
- “We’ll get the report written by next week.”
- “The company has its products tested regularly.”
In each of these examples, the subject arranges for an action to be performed on the object, but doesn’t necessarily perform the action themselves.
Usage in Different IELTS Sections
IELTS Writing Task 2
In IELTS Writing Task 2, using passive causative constructions can demonstrate a high level of grammatical control. Here’s an example paragraph incorporating this structure:
“Many people argue that governments should have more cycling lanes built in cities to reduce traffic congestion. While this is a valid point, it’s also crucial for local authorities to get public transportation systems improved. By doing so, they can have the number of private vehicles reduced on the roads, leading to less pollution and smoother traffic flow.”
IELTS Speaking Part 2
In the IELTS Speaking test, using passive causative constructions can help you achieve a higher band score. Here’s an example of how you might use this structure in a response about a time when you had something repaired:
“Last month, I had my laptop repaired because it was running very slowly. I got it checked at a local computer shop, and they told me I needed to have the hard drive replaced. It was quite expensive, but I had the work done because I rely on my laptop for my studies. After I got it fixed, it worked like new, and I was relieved to have the problem solved.”
Advanced Usage for Higher Band Scores
To aim for band 7 and above in IELTS, it’s important to use passive causative constructions accurately and appropriately. Here are some advanced tips:
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Vary your usage: Alternate between “have” and “get” to show flexibility.
- “I had my suit tailored for the wedding, and I also got my shoes polished.”
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Use with different tenses:
- Present continuous: “We’re having our house renovated at the moment.”
- Present perfect: “They’ve had their visas processed already.”
- Future: “I’ll get my application submitted by next week.”
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Incorporate negative forms:
- “He didn’t have his car serviced regularly, which led to engine problems.”
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Use with modal verbs:
- “You should have your eyes tested if you’re experiencing headaches.”
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Combine with other complex structures:
- “If I had had my resume professionally written, I might have gotten the job offered to me.”
Common Mistakes to Avoid
When using passive causative constructions, IELTS candidates often make these errors:
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Incorrect verb form:
- Incorrect: “I had my hair cutting.”
- Correct: “I had my hair cut.”
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Confusing active and passive forms:
- Incorrect: “I had the mechanic to repair my car.”
- Correct: “I had my car repaired.”
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Misplacing the object:
- Incorrect: “I had repaired my phone.”
- Correct: “I had my phone repaired.”
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Overusing the structure:
- While it’s good to demonstrate this structure, using it too frequently can sound unnatural. Balance it with other grammatical forms.
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Forgetting the past participle:
- Incorrect: “She got her hair style.”
- Correct: “She got her hair styled.”
Conclusion
Mastering passive causative constructions can significantly enhance your IELTS performance. Practice incorporating these structures into your writing and speaking, paying attention to accuracy and appropriate usage. Remember to use them alongside a variety of other complex grammatical structures to showcase your full range of English language skills.
To further improve, try rewriting sentences from IELTS practice materials using passive causative constructions where appropriate. This will help you recognize opportunities to use this structure effectively in the exam.