fare + Infinitive
Causative 'Fare' + Infinitive
The causative construction fare + infinito is used to say 'to make someone do something' or 'to have something done.' It covers both force (making) and delegation (having/getting).
How It Works
The causative construction is essential for natural Italian. Here is how it works:
1. The Structure
You conjugate fare in the required tense and follow it immediately with the infinitive of the action verb.
Example: Faccio riparare la bici (I'm having the bike repaired).
2. The 'Causee' (Who does the action?)
The person performing the action is treated differently depending on the verb type:
- Intransitive Verbs: The person is a Direct Object.
Faccio uscire il cane (I let/make the dog go out). - Transitive Verbs: The person is an Indirect Object (using the preposition a).
Faccio leggere il libro a Marco (I have Marco read the book).
Note: If the transitive verb's own object is omitted, the causee becomes a direct object (e.g., Li faccio mangiare - I make them eat).
3. Pronoun Placement
Pronouns usually go before the conjugated form of fare (e.g., Lo faccio riparare). However, they usually attach to the end of fare when it is in the infinitive, gerund, or the informal imperative (tu, noi, voi).
Example: Fammi sapere (Let me know).
Note: With the formal imperative (Lei), the pronoun must precede the verb: Mi faccia sapere (Let me know).
4. Reflexive Verbs
When the action verb is a reflexive verb, the reflexive pronoun is typically dropped if the causee is a third party (e.g., Faccio lavare il bambino - I have the child wash [himself]). However, if the subject (causer) is also the one receiving the action, the reflexive pronoun precedes fare: Mi faccio lavare i capelli (I have my hair washed).
5. Truncation
In common phrases, fare often drops the final 'e' for better flow: far sapere (to let know), far ridere (to make laugh).
Examples (5)
- Il professore ha fatto ripetere la lezione agli studenti.
The professor made the students repeat the lesson.
Word by Word: The professor has made repeat the lesson to the students.
Since 'ripetere' is transitive (repeating something), the students are introduced with 'a' (agli).
- Ti farò sapere i risultati domani.
I will let you know the results tomorrow.
Word by Word: To you (I) will make know the results tomorrow.
This uses the truncated form 'far' and the future tense of 'fare'.
- Non mi far aspettare troppo, ho fretta!
Don't make me wait too long, I'm in a hurry!
Word by Word: Not me make wait too much, (I) have hurry!
In the negative imperative, the pronoun 'mi' can come before 'far'.
- La macchina? L'ho fatta riparare ieri.
The car? I had it repaired yesterday.
Word by Word: The car? It (I) have made repaired yesterday.
In compound tenses, the past participle 'fatta' agrees with the direct object pronoun 'la' (L').
- Mi faccio tagliare i capelli da un professionista.
I'm having my hair cut by a professional.
Word by Word: Myself (I) make cut the hair by a professional.
The preposition 'da' is often used instead of 'a' when the sentence feels passive or to avoid ambiguity.
Common Mistakes
Placing the pronoun on the infinitive instead of before 'fare'.
Faccio ripararlo.Lo faccio riparare.In causative constructions, pronouns must precede the conjugated verb 'fare'.
Using 'fare' where 'rendere' is more usual.
Questo mi fa felice.Questo mi rende felice.'Questo mi fa felice' is understood and used, but with an adjective that names a state, 'rendere' (Questo mi rende felice) is the more usual and careful choice. 'Fare' is the main verb for actions: Lo faccio ridere.
Using two direct objects for a transitive verb.
Faccio leggere Marco il libro.Faccio leggere il libro a Marco.When the infinitive has its own object (il libro), the person doing the action (Marco) must become an indirect object (a Marco).
How It Connects
Learn This First
To learn the causative 'fare + infinito', you first need to be comfortable conjugating the verb 'fare' itself. Since this structure involves combining two verbs, understanding the general 'verb + infinitive' relationship is crucial. Additionally, because these sentences often describe doing something to someone or something, familiarity with direct object pronouns is necessary to form complete, natural sentences.
- Verb + Infinitive
This pattern is a specific type of verb-plus-infinitive construction; understanding how verbs can be followed directly by an infinitive is a fundamental structural requirement.
Level 1 - mi / ti / lo / la / ci / vi / li / leDirect Object Pronouns
Causative sentences frequently involve direct objects (the person or thing being acted upon), making knowledge of object pronouns essential for practical usage.
Level 1
Related Patterns
- lasciare + Infinitive'Lasciare' + Infinitive (To Let)
While 'fare' implies causing or arranging, 'lasciare' implies permitting or letting.
Level 3 - Perception Verbs + Infinitive
Similar to 'fare', verbs like 'vedere' or 'sentire' can be followed directly by an infinitive.
Level 3 - Clitic Pronoun Placement with the Infinitive
Understanding where pronouns go is vital, as 'fare + infinito' follows specific placement rules.
Level 3 - Past Participle Agreement with a Preceding Direct Object Pronoun
In compound tenses, 'fatto' must agree with preceding direct object pronouns.
Level 3 - fare (espressioni idiomatiche)Common Expressions with 'Fare'
The verb 'fare' is extremely versatile and appears in many fixed expressions beyond the causative.
Level 1 - Truncation
Explains why 'fare' often becomes 'far' before another verb.
Level 1
Learn Next
Patterns that build on this one.
Words in This Pattern
Sources
Practice fare + Infinitive in Bubblegum
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