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Unit 46 · Passive

have something done

Study

A

If you have something done, you arrange for somebody to do it for you.

Compare:

›

Lisa repaired the roof. (= she repaired it herself)

›

Lisa had the roof repaired. (= she arranged for somebody else to repair it)

The roof of Lisa's house was damaged. So she called a builder, and yesterday he came and repaired it.

›

Lisa had the roof repaired yesterday.

This means: Lisa arranged for somebody else to repair the roof. She didn't repair it herself.

›

A: Did you make those curtains yourself? B: Yes, I like making things.

›

A: Did you have those curtains made? B: No, I made them myself.

B

Study the word order:

have object past participle
Lisa had the roof repaired.
Where did you have your hair cut?
We are having the house painted.
I think you should have that coat cleaned.
I don't like having my picture taken.

We say:

›

How often do you have your car serviced? (not have serviced your car)

›

Our neighbour is having a garage built. (not having built a garage)

›

Your hair looks nice. Did you have it cut?

C

You can say 'get something done' instead of 'have something done':

›

When are you going to get the roof repaired? (= have the roof repaired)

›

I think you should get your hair cut really short.

D

We also use have something done with a different meaning. For example:

›

Paul and Karen had their bags stolen while they were travelling.

This does not mean that they arranged for somebody to steal their bags. 'They had their bags stolen' means only: 'Their bags were stolen'.

With this meaning, we use have something done to say that something happens to somebody or their belongings:

›

Gary had his nose broken in a fight. (= his nose was broken)

›

Have you ever had your bike stolen?

Exercises (5)

0/5 exercises checked
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46.1

Tick (✓) the correct sentence, (a) or (b), for each picture.

  1. 1
  2. 2
  3. 3
  4. 4
46.2

Put the words in the correct order.

  1. 1
    (painted / had / a few weeks ago / the house)
  2. 2
    Sarah (serviced / car / once a year / her / has)
  3. 3
    Have (had / your / recently / tested / eyes / you?)
  4. 4
    I (like / cut / my / having / don't / hair)
  5. 5
    It (fifteen pounds / have / cleaned / my suit / cost / to)
  6. 6
    You (as soon as possible / need / translated / to get / this document)
46.3

Write sentences in the way shown.

  1. 1
    Lisa didn't repair the roof herself. She
  2. 2
    I didn't cut my hair myself. I
  3. 3
    We didn't clean the carpets ourselves. We
  4. 4
    Ben didn't build that wall himself. He
  5. 5
    I didn't deliver the flowers myself. I
  6. 6
    Sarah didn't repair her shoes herself. She
46.4

Which goes with which?

  1. 1My hair is getting long.
  2. 2I really like this picture.
  3. 3The washing machine is broken.
  4. 4I want to wear earrings.
  5. 5Can you recommend a dentist?
  6. 6I've lost my key.
  1. aI need to get it fixed.
  2. bI'll have to get a new one made.
  3. cI need to get my teeth checked.
  4. dI should get it cut.
  5. eI'm going to get my ears pierced.
  6. fI'm going to get it framed.
46.5

Use the words in brackets to complete the sentences.

  1. 1
    Did I tell you about Paul and Karen? (They / their bags / steal)
  2. 2
    Security at the airport was strict. (We / our bags / search)
  3. 3
    I've had some good news! (I / my salary / increase)
  4. 4
    Joe can't get a visa. (He / his application / refuse)