Have / Get Something Done
B2 · Upper IntermediatePassive VoiceI had my hair cut. Someone else did it — for you, as a service.
What you'll learn
- The causative is formed with have/get + object + past participle
- It describes arranging for someone else to do something for you, usually as a service
- The word order matters: the object comes before the past participle, not after
- 'Get' is more informal than 'have'; both mean the same thing here
Arranging for someone else to do it
The causative structure describes a service: instead of doing something yourself, you arrange for someone else — a professional, usually — to do it for you.
Forming it: have/get + object + past participle
The structure is have or get, then the object (the thing that gets done), then the past participle of the action. The object always comes between have/get and the past participle.
Have vs. get
'Have' and 'get' work the same way here and mean the same thing — 'get' just sounds a little more informal and conversational.
Real English
Watch out
The object goes between have/get and the past participle — never after the past participle.
The action word must be a past participle, not the base form.
'I cut my hair' means you did it yourself — for a service done by someone else, you need the causative structure.
Real life — Making appointments
"Your car sounds strange."
"I know, I'm getting it checked at the garage tomorrow."
"Good idea. I had mine serviced last week — it drives so much better now."
"Hopefully mine's nothing serious."
Practice
Exercise 1 · Choose the correct sentence
Choose the correct causative sentence (someone did it for you).
Exercise 2 · Choose the correct sentence
Choose the correct causative sentence.
Exercise 3 · Choose the correct sentence
Choose the correct causative sentence with 'get.'
Exercise 4 · Choose the correct word order
Choose the correct word order.
Exercise 5 · Choose the sentence with a causative meaning
Which sentence means someone else did it for you?
Exercise 6 · Choose the correct sentence
Choose the correct causative sentence.
Exercise 7 · Choose the correct sentence
Choose the correct causative sentence.
Exercise 8 · Choose the correct sentence
Choose the correct causative sentence.
Exercise 9 · Rewrite using the causative
Rewrite using the causative 'have': 'Someone is going to fix my laptop.'
Exercise 10 · Rewrite using the causative
Rewrite using the causative 'get': 'Someone cleaned our carpets.'
Exercise 11 · Sort into groups
0 / 4 sorted
Quick challenge
Five quick questions to check what stuck.
Question 1 / 5
Score: 0/0
Choose the correct causative sentence.
You learned
- The causative is have/get + object + past participle.
- It describes arranging for someone else to do something for you.
- The object comes between have/get and the past participle.
- 'Get' is more informal than 'have'; both mean the same thing here.
Related grammar lessons
Get-Passive
Learn how 'get' + past participle works as an informal alternative to 'be' + past participle, especially for sudden or unexpected events.
Advanced Passive Structures
Learn more advanced passive patterns — passivizing an indirect object, passive infinitives and gerunds, and needs-to-be-done structures.
Passive Reporting Structures
Learn two ways to report unattributed claims or beliefs in English — the impersonal 'it is said that' and the more natural personal 'subject is said to.'
Passive Voice by Tense
Learn how the passive voice changes across tenses — the past participle stays fixed, and only the form of 'be' changes.