Monday, February 18, 2019

causative have - You MADE/HAD/GOT me check the dictionary


Earlier today, I read an answer by jonlink which used the zero plural aspirin. I wasn't sure whether that was correct, so I had to check a dictionary. I found that both aspirin and aspirins are okay as plural forms.


If I wanted to express this in a comment, which sentence would I use?



 1. You made me check the dictionary.
 2. You had me check the dictionary.



I think these first two sentences sound natural. I'm not sure about using the pronoun you, though; it might sound rude.




 3. You got me check the dictionary.



This last one doesn't sound right. Is there a problem with using got this way?



Answer



In this context, I would say all three sound unnatural - the answer didn't make you check the dictionary, it prompted you to.


Made would only be used if you're either joking (where the person clearly didn't force you to do anything) or where you've actually been forced to do something. Your example could fall into the former, but the setting isn't quite casual enough to and could potentially be seen as a criticism.


(Note that the above isn't a reflection on the StackExchange user mentioned in the initial post, or StackExchange in general, just that suggesting someone forced you to undertake an act should be done with care)


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