B2 Upper-intermediate Passive and causative
Causative have and get
Lesson goal. After this lesson you can distinguish doing something yourself from having it done, using have / get something done.
When to use it
- Services you pay for: I had my hair cut.
- Repairs and installations: We had the kitchen redecorated.
- Unfortunate events that happen to you: They had their house broken into.
Form
| Pattern | Tense | Example |
|---|---|---|
| have + object + V3 | all tenses | I have my car serviced every year. |
| had + object + V3 | past | I had my hair cut yesterday. |
| get + object + V3 | more informal | I got my watch repaired. |
| will have + object + V3 | future | We'll have the sofa delivered. |
Step by step
- Identify the thing acted on — that is the object.
- Put the object right after have or get.
- The main verb becomes a V3 and goes last.
- Tense sits on have, never on the main verb.
Word order decides the meaning
| Sentence | Who does it |
|---|---|
| I cut my hair. | me |
| I had my hair cut. | the hairdresser |
| I had cut my hair. | me |
| I had my bike stolen. | the thief |
Examples
I had my hair cut yesterday.
We had our house painted last month.
She got her car repaired at the garage.
I need to have my eyes tested.
Where do you have your hair done?
They had their house broken into last week.
Common mistakes
I had cut my hair at the salon. → I had my hair cut at the salon.
With the object in the wrong place the sentence means I had cut it myself. The object must sit between have and the V3.
He got repaired his watch. → He got his watch repaired.
The same order error: the object goes in the middle.
I had my hair cutted. → I had my hair cut.
cut is irregular; its V3 is still cut.
Memory tip
Remember three slots in order: have — what — done how. have · my hair · cut. Keep that order and the meaning stays right.
Summary
- have / get + object + V3 = arrange for someone else to do it.
- The object sits in the middle; the tense sits on have or get.
- It also covers unfortunate things that happen to you.
Practise this lesson
Do exercises with an explanation for every question, take mini tests and track your progress on GrammUp.