B1+Passive and causative structures

Have something done

Use have/get + object + past participle for services arranged with another person and for experiences that happen to someone or their possessions.

Overview

What this grammar does

Use have/get + object + past participle for services arranged with another person and for experiences that happen to someone or their possessions.

Form and rules

How it works

Have + object + past participle commonly means arrange for another person to do a service: I had my hair cut.

Get + object + past participle is a more informal alternative in many contexts.

Change the tense of have/get, not the past participle: I'm having it repaired; I had it repaired; I'll get it repaired.

The structure can also describe an unwanted experience: She had her phone stolen.

Do not confuse have something done with doing it yourself; the structure normally implies another agent or an event affecting you.

A closer look

Meaning and use

The structure can also describe an unwanted experience: She had her phone stolen.

Do not confuse have something done with doing it yourself; the structure normally implies another agent or an event affecting you.

Examples

See the pattern in complete sentences

I'm having my car serviced tomorrow.

We had the kitchen painted last year.

You should get your eyes tested.

She had her bag stolen on the train.

They'll have the documents translated.

Common mistakes

What to avoid

I need to do my laptop repaired.

I need to have my laptop repaired.

Have + object + past participle means arrange a repair.

We did the windows replaced last month.

We had the windows replaced last month.

Past service arrangement uses had + object + past participle.

Ready to practise?

The test combines multiple choice, gap completion, error correction, and sentence building so students have to recognise and produce the grammar, not simply reread the rule.

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