Have

Question

"The Angola Three were subjected to routine strip and searches, sometimes six times a day, until in 1978, their lawsuit to have them restricted was successful." (The Guardian.)

Is "to have" a causative verb of purpose in the above?

GPY · Accepted Answer

Causitive yes, but I'm not sure about "of purpose". Is "causative verb of purpose" a known term?

Anonymous · Answer

GPYIs "causative verb of purpose" a known term?

Thank you for the reply. First of all, I'm a non-native old pensioner who is trying to acquire English mostly by understanding the grammar "machinery" of it. It's quite possible that, unwittingly, I've coined some new term. What I wanted to know is whether "have", here, despite its causative notion, has the purpose in that context. In other words, can it be preceded by implied "in order" (in order to have)?

GPY · Answer

AnonymousIn other words, can it be preceded by implied "in order" (in order to have)?

No. "their lawsuit in order to have them restricted was successful" is not right.

CalifJim · Answer

AnonymousIt's quite possible that, unwittingly, I've coined some new term.

I can only say that it sounds new to me.

AnonymousWhat I wanted to know is whether "have", here, despite its causative notion, has the purpose in that context.

The lawsuit was brought for the purpose of having the strip searches restricted. In that sense 'purpose' is associated with the sentence. But that happens whenever a lawsuit is involved. I think it's more to do with "lawsuit" than with "causative".

CJ

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