Have or get something done
Use have or get + object + past participle when someone else does a job for you, usually a service you pay for, or when something bad happens to you.
How it works
- Form: have/get + object + past participle: I had my hair cut. We're getting the kitchen painted.
- Have and get both work; get is a little more informal: I need to get my eyes tested.
- The tense goes on have/get: I'm having my car serviced tomorrow. She has had her laptop repaired.
- The object comes before the participle: I had my watch repaired (not I had repaired my watch, which means you did it yourself).
- It also describes something bad done to you: He had his wallet stolen on the bus.
- Have someone do / get someone to do = arrange for a person to act: I'll have the receptionist call you. I got my brother to fix it.
Examples
I'm getting my hair cut on Saturday.
We had the air conditioner cleaned before the summer.
You should have your eyes tested.
She had her phone stolen at Bến Thành Market.
I got my cousin to translate the letter.
Common mistakes
Wrong: I
cut my hairyesterday at the barber's.Right: I had my hair cut yesterday at the barber's.
Wrong: I need to have
repaired my bike.Right: I need to have my bike repaired.
Wrong: We are having our house
paintnext week.Right: We are having our house painted next week.
Practice
1 of 15Fill the gap.
Level: EGP Passives (causative): have + object + past participle for services is first seen at B1; get something done and the 'bad experience' use (had my phone stolen) are controlled at B2. Written for Gloss.