Have / Get something done

Have/get something done

causative use

start

Take a look at these two sentences. What is the difference in meaning between them?

'I cut my hair.'

'I have my hair cut.'

So "have/get something done" is used to describe situations where we want someone else to do something for us. This construction is passive in meaning.

We can also use 'have/get something done' in situations where something bad has happened to people or their possessions. This is not something they wanted to happen. • John had all his money stolen from his hotel bedroom. • We had our car damaged by a falling tree. • I got my nose broken playing rugby.

Structure: Subject + have/get + object + past participle

• 'We didn't want to cook so we had a pizza delivered.'
• 'I had my car washed at that new place by the station.'

In informal English we can also use 'get' instead of 'have' and the meaning stays the same.

Let's see a few more examples:

- I'm going to have my hair cut. - She's having her house redecorated. - I'm having a copy of the report sent to you. - We're getting a new telephone system installed. - They will be getting the system repaired as quickly as they can. - I got the bill sent direct to the company.

Verb Tenses

Practice 1

Practice 2

Practice 3