Which of the following is a causative verb?

Appeared in: CGHS SSC - 2018

Explanation

A causative verb is a verb that shows that the subject causes an action to happen.
The verb 'to awaken' means 'to cause to wake up', which perfectly fits the definition of a causative verb.
For example, in the sentence 'The sunlight awakened him,' the sunlight is causing the action of waking.
The option itself provides the definition 'cause to wake up,' making it the correct choice.

Option A: The verb 'to wake up' is typically used as an intransitive verb, where the subject performs the action on itself. It does not describe causing another entity to perform the action.
Option C: The verb 'to speak' is a standard action verb. It describes what the subject does but does not grammatically cause another object to perform a separate action.
Option D: This is a duplicate of the first option. The verb 'to wake up' is primarily intransitive, describing an action the subject performs on itself, not an action it causes in an object.

Clinical Relevance

Nursing practice connection: This is primarily an exam-oriented knowledge point with limited direct bedside application, so retain Grammar: Causative Verbs as background academic context rather than a clinical decision trigger.
This question tests English grammar, a non-clinical subject often included in nursing entrance examinations to assess language proficiency.
Strong command of grammar is crucial for nurses for accurate and clear documentation, effective communication with patients and colleagues, and understanding medical literature.
What if the question asked for an intransitive verb? In that case, 'To wake up' would be the correct answer as the action does not transfer to an object.

How to Approach the Question

First, understand the term 'causative verb'. It means a verb that indicates a subject is causing an action to happen to an object.
Analyze each option to see if it fits this definition.
Option A/D, 'To wake up', describes an action one does to oneself ('I wake up'). This is intransitive.
Option C, 'To speak', is a simple action verb.
Option B, 'To awaken/cause to wake up', explicitly states 'cause to wake up'. This matches the definition of a causative verb. 'Awaken' is the causative counterpart to the intransitive 'wake'.
Therefore, select the option that describes causing an action.

Concept Tested & Keywords

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Practise the full CGHS SSC - 2018

Attempt every question from this paper in a timed mock, then review the full solution for each one.