"... had us memorize ..." = (more common in American English)

Status
Not open for further replies.

Odessa Dawn

Key Member
Joined
Aug 10, 2012
Location
Saudi Arabia
Member Type
Student or Learner
Native Language
Arabic
Home Country
Saudi Arabia
Current Location
Saudi Arabia
poem about grammar
Back in the mid-sixties, my English teacher had us memorize a poem about grammar that began: All names of persons, places, things are nouns as Caesar, Rome and kings.......I would like to know who wrote it and where I could find a copy of it.


[SUP]
[/SUP]We can use have someone do something to talk about giving instructions or orders (more common in American English).


  • [*=left]I had my assistant type the report.
    [*=left]I'll have my lawyer look into it.
More: English grammar - Causative


The rule here says that we can use (Had+ object + infinitive) which is more common in AmE, according to this site. I understand from this that the base form after object is less common in BrE. As a result, in BrE we can use (Had + object +past participle) when it comes to orders.

Example in BrE:

Our English teacher had us memorized a poem. Am I right?

 
No. The difference with BrE is nothing to do with changing the tense of the word "memorise". It's the fact that we don't use "to have someone do something".

Our English teacher made us memorise a poem.
Our English teacher gave us a poem to memorise.
 
No. The difference with BrE is nothing to do with changing the tense of the word "memorise". It's the fact that we don't use "to have someone do something".
Some of us do.
 


How did you arrive at this conclusion?

The word more made me reach that conclusion. As to me, when I see the word more it means that I have the word less on the other side. However, I will listen to your opinion not mine. Again, I will put my version aside. Thank you so very much for taking your precious time out helping others learn English.

 
Status
Not open for further replies.

Ask a Teacher

If you have a question about the English language and would like to ask one of our many English teachers and language experts, please click the button below to let us know:

(Requires Registration)
Back
Top