Have someone do something / get someone to do something

We use have someone do something to ask or instruct someone to do something for us. We use this structure when:

we arrange for someone to do a task
we give responsibility to someone
often when it’s their job or duty

Structure: Subject + have + person + base verb

I had the mechanic fix my car.
She has her assistant organize the files.
She has her secretary send the emails.
We will have someone clean the house.

We use get someone to do something to persuade, convince, or manage to make someone do something (can be effort involved).

Structure: Subject + get + person + to + verb

I got him to help me.
She got her brother to clean his room.

Key Difference:

Have = more direct / authority

Get = persuasion / effort / convincing

Have Practice Using have someone do something / get someone to do something

**Task 1. Change the sentences so that they use the structure ‘have someone do something‘ or ‘get someone to do something‘. Start with ‘I’.**

Example: The cleaner cleaned the house. (have) – I had the cleaner do the house.

The taxi driver collected us. (have)
John arrived on time. (get)
The mechanic fixed the brakes. (have)
The teacher explained the lesson. (have)
My husband looked after our children. (get)
The waiter brought some water. (have)
The nurse took your temperature. (have)
The students stopped sleeping in class. (get)
The teenagers went to bed early. (get)
The dentist cleaned my teeth. (have)
My friend took her car. (get)
The window cleaner washed the windows. (have)
The toddler ate her vegetables. (get)
The teacher checked my writing. (get)
The secretary typed the report. (have)
The shop assistant gave me a discount. (get)
The shop delivered the food. (have)
The children did their homework. (get)
My colleague helped me write the report. (get)
The teacher made the teenagers go to bed early. (get)

Task 2. Complete the sentences with the correct form of get and a person and a verb from each box.

a magician a strong friend an electrician the neighbours the teacher your dad

to carry to check to collect to come to fix to water

The light switch was broken so we _________________ it. English verb lessons
We usually _________________ our plants when we’re on holiday.
Yesterday Suzy _________________ some heavy boxes to the car.
I wasn’t sure if my exam answer was correct so I _________________ it.
I’m sure you can _________________ us from the party. He never minds driving.
For Gerry’s birthday next week we _________________ to the house and do tricks for the kids.

Task 3. Complete the story with the correct form of the verbs:

be change come cut drive give pay steal

You won’t believe what happened to me yesterday. I was at the hairdresser’s, having my hair 1_____ , and suddenly I panicked! I thought for a moment that I’d had my bag 2_____, then I remembered that I’d left my bag at home, and my keys 3 _____ inside it. Luckily, my friend had a spare key, so I got her 4 _____ to the hairdresser’s in her mum’s car. I also got her 5 _____ for my haircut as I had no money. As a final favour, I got her 6_____ me a lift back to my house and you’ll never guess what happened next: I broke the key in the lock! We had to get a locksmith 7_____ and in the end we needed to have the lock 8 _____ .

Task 4. Answer the questions using have someone do something / get someone to do something

Have you ever got a friend to help you move house? How did it go? – Yes, I have. I got a friend to help me move house last year. It went really well because he was very helpful and strong. We finished everything faster than I expected. After that, I bought him dinner to thank him. It was a bit tiring, but also fun because we talked and laughed while moving the furniture.
Have you ever had someone fix your car for you? How did you find them?
Have you ever got your parents to lend you money? How did they react?
Have you ever had someone bake a cake for you? What was the occasion?
Have you ever got someone to teach you a new skill? What was it?
Have you ever had someone proofread your writing for you? How did it help?
Have you ever got someone to help you study for an exam? Did it work?
Have you ever had someone take care of your pet for you? How did they do?
Have you ever got someone to drive you somewhere? How far was it?
Have you ever had someone make a reservation for you? How did it go?
Have you ever got someone to translate something for you? What was it?
Have you ever had someone clean your house for you? Was it worth the cost?
Have you ever got someone to help you plan a party? How did it turn out?
Have you ever had someone fix your bike for you? Did they charge you?
Have you ever got someone to help you with a DIY project? What did you build?
Have you ever had someone do your laundry for you? Did they fold it too?
Have you ever got someone to teach you how to play a musical instrument? Which one?
Have you ever had someone prepare a meal for you? Was it a special occasion?
Have you ever got someone to help you with a work project? What was it?
Have you ever had someone give you a haircut? How did it turn out?