Word
causative
US/ˈkɑzətɪv/
UK/kˈɔːsətˌɪv/
Definitions
01acting as a cause
C1 · Advanced Science Technical
adj. acting as the reason why something happens.
adj. acting as a cause or contributing to the production of an effect. Non-gradable in its scientific and logical application.
“Smoking is a causative factor in many different types of lung disease.”
“Epidemiologists identified the contaminated water supply as the primary causative agent in the recent outbreak of illness.”
Usage
Usually placed before the noun it modifies.
Teaching tip
In general English, 'causal' is more common; 'causative' is preferred in medical or scientific contexts.
Synonyms
Antonyms
02grammar form
C1 · Advanced Grammar Academic · Technical
adj. describing a verb or sentence that shows someone making someone else do an action.
adj. expressing a cause or causation, specifically regarding a grammatical construction where an agent causes a patient to perform an action.
“In the sentence 'I had the mechanic fix my car,' the verb 'had' is causative.”
“The professor explained how causative verbs like 'make,' 'let,' and 'have' function differently regarding the use of the infinitive.”
Usage
Used to describe verbs, clauses, or specific linguistic structures.
Teaching tip
This is a core concept for B2-C1 learners when studying structures like 'have something done' or 'make someone do something'.
03a causative verb or form
C2 · Proficiency Countable noun Grammar Academic · Technical
n. a word or form that expresses the idea of causing an action.
n. a linguistic form, such as a verb or affix, that indicates an agent is causing a subject to act or change state.
“The teacher asked the students to identify the causative in each sentence.”
“In some languages, the causative is formed by adding a specific suffix to the root of the verb.”
Usage
A countable noun in linguistic analysis.
Teaching tip
Rarely used by students; primarily found in grammar books and linguistic research.
Real-World Examples
“But he argued she had “not developed sufficient insight into the causative factors of her crime and her triggers for antisocial thinking” and was still dangerous.” Etymology
From French causatif, itself from Latin causātīvus ("causative, pertaining to a lawsuit, accusative"), from causa ("cause").
Etymology adapted from Wiktionary, available under CC BY-SA 4.0.
Word family
ADJECTIVE
Domain
- Exam level
- CambridgeCambridgeCambridge English QualificationsThe exam suite from Cambridge University Press & Assessment, from A1 Movers up to C2 Proficiency. The benchmark names double as CEFR labels.C1 AdvancedIELTSIELTSInternational English Language Testing SystemThe 0–9 band test co-owned by the British Council, IDP, and Cambridge. Used for university entry, work, and migration.7.0–8.0TOEFL iBTTOEFL iBTTest of English as a Foreign Language, Internet-Based TestETS's academic English test, the standard route for US university admissions. Scored 0–120, with a 1–6 scale since 2026.1–6 scale: 5.0–5.595–113TOEICTOEICTest of English for International CommunicationETS's workplace English test, big in Japan and Korea. Listening & Reading scores 10–990 and tops out at C1.945–990
- Frequency
- Occasional
- Level
- C1 · Advanced
- Updated
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