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CEFR C1Recommended grades: 11–11

Causative: have something done

01 · Quick explanation

Use have/get + object + past participle when someone else does something for you, often by arrangement or payment: I had my hair cut yesterday. We're getting the house painted.

02 · Full explanation

The causative structure have/get + object + past participle (V3) describes an action that someone arranges for another person to do, rather than doing it themselves: She had her car repaired (= a mechanic repaired it for her). Have is more formal/neutral; get is more informal and can suggest effort or persuasion: I finally got my computer fixed. The structure can also describe something unpleasant happening to someone (often with get): He had his wallet stolen. Tense is shown on have/get: have → had, will have, has had, is having.

Arranging a service someone does for youDescribing unpleasant things that happen to youFormal (have) vs informal (get) style

03 · Formula

+have/get + object + past participle
−haven't/don't get + object + past participle
?Have/Did you have + object + past participle?

04 · Affirmative

+ have/get + object + past participle

  • I had my car washed yesterday.
  • We're getting our kitchen renovated this month.
  • She has her nails done every Friday.

05 · Negative

− haven't/don't get + object + past participle

  • I haven't had my suit cleaned yet.
  • He didn't get his passport renewed in time.

06 · Question

? Have/Did you have + object + past participle?

  • Have you had your eyes tested recently?
  • Did you get your phone repaired?

07 · Examples

  • ENI had my hair cut last week.

    KZМен өткен аптада шашымды алдырдым.

    RUЯ подстригся на прошлой неделе.

  • ENWe are having our house painted this summer.

    KZБіз осы жазда үйімізді бояттырамыз.

    RUЭтим летом нам красят дом.

  • ENShe got her teeth whitened before the wedding.

    KZОл той алдында тістерін ағарттырды.

    RUОна отбелила зубы перед свадьбой.

  • ENHe had his wallet stolen on the train.

    KZОның әмиянын пойызда ұрлатты.

    RUУ него украли кошелёк в поезде.

  • ENThey had their windows cleaned yesterday.

    KZОлар кеше терезелерін тазалатты.

    RUВчера им помыли окна.

  • ENI need to get my laptop repaired.

    KZМаған ноутбугымды жөндеттіру керек.

    RUМне нужно отремонтировать ноутбук.

  • ENHave you ever had your fortune told?

    KZСізге ешқашан бал ашылды ма?

    RUВам когда-нибудь гадали?

  • ENWe had our luggage checked at the airport.

    KZБізге әуежайда жүгімізді тексертті.

    RUВ аэропорту нам проверили багаж.

  • ENShe's getting her dress altered for the party.

    KZОл кеш үшін көйлегін өлшеттіріп жатыр.

    RUОна переделывает платье для вечеринки.

  • ENHe had his arm broken in the accident.

    KZАпатта оның қолы сынды.

    RUВ аварии ему сломали руку.

08 · Signal words

have something doneget something doneby (an agent)at the hairdresser's/garagearrange for someone

09 · Common mistakes

  • ✗ I had cut my hair yesterday.

    ✓ I had my hair cut yesterday.

    Causative needs object + past participle, not the subject cutting it.

  • ✗ She had her car repairing.

    ✓ She had her car repaired.

    Use the past participle (V3), not -ing, after the object.

  • ✗ I got my hair to cut.

    ✓ I got my hair cut.

    Causative get does not use an infinitive after the object; use the past participle.

10 · Compare with similar grammar

Causative (have sth done) vs Active voice

Active voice shows you do the action yourself (I painted the house). Causative shows someone else does it for you, by arrangement (I had the house painted).

I cut my hair myself. (I did it)

I had my hair cut. (a hairdresser did it)

He fixed his car. (he did it)

He had his car fixed. (a mechanic did it)

11 · Interactive exercises

Answer each task and press Check. Type answers in English.

0 / 10 · 0 checked

  1. 1. Choose the correct answer:

    I ___ my car serviced every six months.

  2. 2. Choose the correct answer:

    She had her bag ___ at the airport.

  3. 3. Choose the correct answer:

    We're ___ our kitchen renovated next month.

  4. 4. Fill in the gap:

    I need to ___ (my shoes / repair) before the trip.

  5. 5. Fill in the gap:

    He ___ (his hair / cut) yesterday afternoon.

  6. 6. Fill in the gap:

    They ___ (their house / paint) white last year.

  7. 7. Fill in the gap:

    She ___ (not / her essay / check) by anyone before submitting it.

  8. 8. Fill in the gap:

    Have you ever ___ (your fortune / tell)?

  9. 9. Correct the sentence:

    I had my car repair last week.

  10. 10. Correct the sentence:

    She got her photo taking for the passport.

12 · Mini test

Question 1 / 5

Which sentence is correct?

13 · Practice

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