Causative: meaning, definitions and examples

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causative

 

[ˈkɔːzətɪv ]

Definition

Context #1 | Adjective

causative agent

The term 'causative' refers to something that causes another thing to happen. In linguistics, it often denotes a grammatical construction that expresses a cause-effect relationship. For example, a causative verb can indicate that one person causes another to perform an action. The word can also be applied in various scientific contexts, highlighting factors that lead to specific outcomes.

Synonyms

causal, causative factor, inductive.

Examples of usage

  • The causative agent of the disease was identified.
  • In the sentence, 'I had him fix the car', 'had' is a causative verb.
  • The causative construction can be complex in some languages.

Interesting Facts

Etymology

  • The word comes from the Latin 'causativus,' which means 'causing' or 'making.'
  • It has its roots in the word 'causa,' meaning 'cause' in Latin, highlighting the connection to causing actions.

Grammar

  • In linguistics, a causative construction shows that one subject causes another to do something, like saying 'I had him make dinner.'
  • Many languages have causative forms, allowing speakers to express relationships in actions, such as in Japanese and Turkish.

Psychology

  • Understanding causation is crucial in psychology, as it helps explain how certain behaviors or events lead to particular outcomes.
  • Researchers often study causative factors in mental health to identify triggers for various conditions.

Education

  • Teaching students about causative verbs helps improve their language skills by enabling them to express processes and effects clearly.
  • Learning causatives can enhance critical thinking, as students analyze how different actions influence outcomes.

Philosophy

  • Philosophers have long debated the nature of causation, exploring how events are linked and the implications for free will.
  • Causative relationships are a central topic in discussions about moral responsibility, particularly in ethics.

Translations

Translations of the word "causative" in other languages:

🇵🇹 causativo

🇮🇳 कारणकारी

🇩🇪 kausativ

🇮🇩 kausatif

🇺🇦 каузативний

🇵🇱 kazać

🇯🇵 使役の

🇫🇷 causatif

🇪🇸 causativo

🇹🇷 nedensel

🇰🇷 사유의

🇸🇦 سببى

🇨🇿 kauzativní

🇸🇰 kauzatívny

🇨🇳 使役的

🇸🇮 kauzativni

🇮🇸 orsakir

🇰🇿 себептік

🇬🇪 კაუზატიური

🇦🇿 səbəblik

🇲🇽 causativo

Word Frequency Rank

At position #14,604, this word is part of sophisticated English vocabulary. It's useful for academic or professional contexts where precise language is needed.