The Causative – have something done

We use the expression ‘to have something done’ ( have + object + past participle) to say:

• That somebody does something for you. Usually they’re things that are difficult to do yourself or you
  don’t want to do yourself.
• That something unpleasant happened to somebody.
• Questions and negations of the verb have are formed with do/does or did.
• We can use the verb get instead of the verb have only in informal conversation.

Examples

Present Simple: He paints the house. – He has the house painted.

Present Continuous: He is painting the house. – He is having the house painted.

Past Simple: He painted the house. – He had the house painted.

Past Continuous: He was painting the house. – He was having the house painted.

Future Simple: He will paint the house. – He will have the house painted.

Future Continuous: He will be painting the house. – He will be having the house painted.

Present Perfect: He has painted the house. – He has had the house painted.

Present Perfect Continuous: He has been painting the house. – He has been having the house painted.

Past Perfect: He had painted the house. – He had had the house painted.

Past Perfect Continuous: He had been painting the house. – He had been having the house painted.

Infinitive: He must paint the house. – He must have the house painted.

-ing form: It’s worth painting the house. – It’s worth having the house painted.

be going to: He is going to paint the house. – He is going to have the house painted.

Have Practice

Task 1. Rewrite these sentences using ‘ to have something done’

1. They serviced Ken’s car yesterday. – Ken had his car serviced yesterday.
2. They’re repairing our roof at the moment. – We……
3. They’re going to fit a stereo in my car. – I ………
4. Someone cleans Sue’s flat once a week. – Sue……
5. Has anyone tested your eyes recently? – Have you………..?
6. Someone stole John’s briefcase last week. – John………
7. Someone cleans her house. – She…….
8. Someone cooks her meals. – She………
9. Someone washes her clothes. – She.……
10. Somebody cleans her windows. – She……
11. Somebody serviced her car. – She……
12. Somebody does her shopping. – She…..
13. Somebody looks after her garden. – She…..
14. Somebody posts her letters . – She……..
15. Their windows need to be cleaned. – They need………
16. The hairdresser was styling Mrs Brown’s hair. – Mrs Brown……
17. She told her son to carry the shopping to the house. – She. ……..
18. Dad is going to arrange for someone to cut the grass . – Dad is going………
19. They used to employ a cleaner who cleaned the house. – They used……
20. Did the mechanic repair Paul’s motorbike? –Did Paul……..?

Task 2. Rewrite these sentences using ‘ to have something done’

1. His teeth are checked twice a year. – He has his teeth checked twice a year.
2. Her skirt is being cleaned at the moment.
3. My hair is trimmed once a month.
4. Central heating is going to be installed in our house next month.
5. Sam’s burglar alarm was fitted last week.
6. My car is being repaired at the moment.
7. The band’s new single has just been recorded.
8. Our new furniture is going to be delivered tomorrow.
9. Their new house is being decorated at the moment.
10. The windows will be cleaned.

Task 3. Rewrite these sentences using ‘ to have something done’

1. A new jumper has been knitted for me. – I have had a new jumper knitted.
2. The lock has to be fixed for them.
3. A new pair of glasses is going to be made for him.
4. Their windows need to be cleaned.
5. The hairdresser was styling Mrs Brown’s hair.
6. She told her son to carry the shopping to the house.
7. Dad is going to arrange for someone to cut the grass.
8. They used to employ a cleaner who cleaned the house.
9. Did the mechanic repair Paul’s motorbike?
10. The boss asked his assistant to type the letter.

Task 4. Rewrite these sentences using ‘ to have something done’

1. A plumber fixed the dripping tap for Joe. – Joe had the dripping tap fixed.
2. Have you told the secretary to make some photocopies? – Have you had any photocopies made?
3. The chef was cooking Tom’s lunch.
4. Did you tell the shop to deliver the sofa to you?
5. My purse was stolen last Friday.
6. Did you employ a painter to decorate your house?
7. The builders are putting a new roof on Adam’s house at the moment.
8. She asked the maid to polish the silver.
9. The man had asked the porter to take his luggage to his room.
10. Did you ask Jenny to arrange the flowers for you?

Task 5. Rewrite these sentences using ‘ to have something done’

1. When will your glasses be made? – When will you have your glasses made?
2. I hired a professional to cater for my party.
3. Did you ask anyone to sweep the chimney?
4. She asked him to do the shopping.
5. Their house was burgled last night.
6. He employed a carpenter to build the fence.
7. Julie’s housekeeper irons all her clothes.
8. His shop’s windows were smashed in the riot.
9. Pete must have sent this letter.
10. He should plant some more flowers.