3.2. Present and past infinitive with fare (causative structures)

Causative structures

The appropriate conjugation of the verb fare can be followed by any infinitive to express the notion of “causing/making” someone to do something, or having something done.

Faccio scrivere Gina.

I make Gina write.

Abbiamo fatto andare Chiara alla lezione.

We made Chiara go to class.

Ho fatto pulire la camera.

I had the bedroom cleaned.

This use of fare + infinitive can also be used to express a gentler sense of “letting” or “allowing,” for example,

La faccio entrare.

I let her in.

Mi ha fatto avere le carte.

He let me have the cards.

There are several idiomatic expressions that are commonly used with this fare + infinitive construction:

Lei ha fatto perdere la testa a tanti uomini.

She made a lot of men lose their heads.

Fa girare le scatole a tutti i suoi professori.

He/she is a pain in the neck to all of his/her teachers.

Mi fa sempre venire i nervi.

She/he always gets on my nerves.