When do we use “have something done”?

When do we use have something done?

Asked by @ Raji Idris Dolapo (Community Student)

English Grammar Rules

Answered by @ Elo Kasia

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Talking about “having something done” in English

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When do we use have something done

Question Time: When do we use “have something done”?

  @ Raji Idris Dolapo, Thank you for your question.   As usual, I will try to explain the difference using simple language and plenty of examples.

We use have + object + -ed form when we talk about someone doing something for us which we ask or instruct them to do. We often use it to talk about paying someone to do something for us or paying for a service. It emphasises the process/action rather than who performs it. In this respect, it is similar to the passive voice.

Look at the difference:

• I’ve had my hair cut. (hairdresser did it and I paid for it)
• I’ve cut my hair. (I did it myself).

Other situations when you might use this form include services such as using the services of a mechanic, painter, cleaner, gardener, etc. We focus on the service or the action being done, rather than on who does it.

Study these examples:

• I’m having the house cleaned this weekend, my relatives are coming. (cleaner)
• Have you had your house painted? It looks really nice. (painter)
• I need to have my car checked. There is a strange noise every time I use the breaks. (mechanic)
• The garden is a real mess. Why don’t we have the grass cut? (gardener)

Be careful to use the correct tense:

• I have my hair cut every 6 weeks or so. (Present Simple)
• I’m having my house painted this week. (Present Continuous)
• I’ve just had my windows cleaned. (Present Perfect)
• We had the car serviced last month. (Past Simple)
• I was having my nails done when he called. (Past Continuous)
• I will have it fixed this week I promise. (Future Simple).

We can also use ‘subject + get + object + past participle‘. This has the same meaning as ‘have’, but is less formal.

• I’ll get my hair cut next week.

We can also use “have + object + -ed” form when something bad happens, especially when someone is affected by an action which they did not cause:

• They’ve had their car stolen. (‘They’ are affected by the action of the car being stolen but they did not cause this to happen.)
• Hundreds of people had their homes destroyed by the hurricane. (Hundreds of people were affected by the hurricane, which they did not cause.)

Study our *TT exercises to learn the correct usage of this expression and other expressions with “have”.

Make sure you follow our Daily *TT exercises to practise in our ever growing “English Grammar and Speaking Academy“.

Check my other articles here: All English Time Ask Elo – Learning Articles

Elo Kasia Community Mentor for ” English Grammar and Speaking Academy“.

Director at Eloquent Learning Online, educational institution based in the UK. www.eloquentlearning.com.

English Grammar Rules