have / get something done
Use have / get + object + past participle when someone else does a job for you: I had my hair cut (a hairdresser did it).
| tense | example |
|---|---|
| present | I have my car serviced every year. |
| past | We had the flat painted. |
| going to | I’m going to get my eyes tested. |
| present perfect | She’s had her phone repaired. |
Something bad happened
The same structure describes unpleasant experiences: I had my bike stolen.
Examples
- I need to get my documents translated.
- Where do you have your hair done?
- We’re having a new kitchen installed.
- He had his wallet stolen on the train.
- I’m having my teeth checked tomorrow.
Common mistakes
- ✗ I have my car service every year.✓ I have my car serviced every year.The causative needs the past participle after the object.
- ✗ She got her phone repairing.✓ She got her phone repaired.Someone else repaired it, so the participle is used instead of -ing.
- ✗ We had the flat to paint.✓ We had the flat painted.The causative has no to; the object is followed by the participle.
- ✗ I’m having cut my hair tomorrow.✓ I’m having my hair cut tomorrow.The object comes before the participle in the causative.
- ✗ We have installed a new kitchen last week.✓ We had a new kitchen installed last week.Someone else did the work, so have is combined with the participle.