Have / Get Something Done (Causative)

The causative arranges for someone else to do something for you. 'Have/get + object + past participle' shows that a service is performed rather than done by the subject personally.

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Level B2 Voice

Summary

The causative arranges for someone else to do something for you. 'Have/get + object + past participle' shows that a service is performed rather than done by the subject personally.

have / get + object + past participle

Examples

I had my hair cut yesterday.
We're getting the kitchen painted next week.
She had her passport stolen on holiday.
You should get your eyes tested.

Common mistakes

• Putting the verb before the object: 'I had cut my hair' (causative sense) should be 'I had my hair cut'.
• Using a base verb instead of a past participle: 'get the car repair' should be 'get the car repaired'.

More voice

The Passive Voice B2

Use the passive voice when the action is more important than who or what does it, or when the doer is unknown or obvious. The object of the active sentence becomes the subject.

Passive of Reporting Verbs C1

To report beliefs or claims impersonally, English uses passive reporting structures. There is an impersonal 'It is said that...' form and a personal 'He is said to...' form with an infinitive.

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