Causative: have / get something done

Advanced · Voice & Speech

When you do not do a job yourself but arrange for someone else to do it, English uses the causative: "have/get + something + done".

"I cut my hair" means you did it yourself. "I had my hair cut" means a hairdresser did it for you. This structure is essential for talking about services.

How to build it

have / get + object + past participle

Rules & examples

1. have/get + object + past participle = arrange a service.

   Someone else does the work for you. "get" is a bit more informal than "have".

   • I had my car repaired.
   • She got her hair cut.
2. It works in any tense — just change "have/get".

   Keep the object + past participle the same.

   • I'm having my house painted.
   • We will have the documents translated.
3. have/get + person + to do = make/persuade someone to do something.

   A slightly different pattern focusing on the person.

   • I had the mechanic check the brakes.
   • She got him to help.

Tips to remember

• If a professional does it for you, use the causative: "I had my teeth cleaned", not "I cleaned my teeth" (unless you literally did).

Common mistakes

• ✗ I cut my hair yesterday. (meaning: at the salon) → ✓ I had my hair cut yesterday. — When someone else provides the service, use the causative "have something done".