Capire le emozioni

Causative Verbs: fare and lasciare

At B2 level, the causative verbs fare and lasciare followed by an infinitive express the cause of an emotion or action.

Fare + infinitive (to make/cause someone to do something)

Fare + infinitive indicates that a subject causes an action in someone else.

Mi fa sentire ansioso. → It makes me feel anxious.

Questo mi fa pensare a mia madre. → This makes me think of my mother.

Mi fa impazzire quando non rispondi. → It drives me crazy when you don't reply.

Lasciare + infinitive (to let/allow)

Lasciare + infinitive expresses permission or allowing someone to act.

Lasciami parlare, per favore. → Let me speak, please.

Non ti lascio manipolare così. → I won't let you be manipulated like that.

L'ha lasciata sfogare senza interromperla. → He let her vent without interrupting her.

Pronouns with causatives

With a direct object, the pronoun goes before the causative verb:

• Il suo comportamento mi fa sentire sopraffatto.
• Non la lascio stare sola.