Have something done and Get something done

CAUSATIVE HAVE/GET

Have something done and Get something done are both used to refer to actions which are done for
the subject rather than by the subject. Causative verbs are used instead of passive verbs to show that
the subject causes the action to be done.

1. Have something done
 I don´t know how to repair cars, so I´m having mine repaired at the garage round the corner.

2. Get something done
 I really must get my eyes tested. I´m sure I need glasses.
Get your hair cut!

NOTE: The differences between have and get something done are that have is slightly more
formal than get, and that get is more frequent than have in the imperative form.

NON-CAUSATIVE USES OF HAVE AND GET
Have and get are also used to refer to events which happened to someone, but were outside their
control.

 After being late for work every day for two weeks, Billy had his pay reduced. 
 I stood so close to the fire that I got my legs burnt.

VERBAL TENSES. Changes.

TENSE	HAVE/GET SOMETHING DONE
Present Simple	I have/get my hair cut.
Past Simple	I had/got my hair cut.
Present Continuous	I'm having/getting my hair cut.
Past Continuous	I was having/getting my hair cut.
Present Perfect	I have had my hair cut.
Past Perfect	I had had my hair cut.
will	I will have my hair cut.
must	I must have my hair cut.
be going to	I'm going to have my hair cut.

PRACTICE. Rewrite these sentences using have or get. 

1. The mechanic changed the oil in my car.
_______________________________________________________________________
2. The hairdresser cut my hair in a completely different style.
_______________________________________________________________________
3. A decorator has repainted our house.
_______________________________________________________________________
4. A friend of mine, who´s an electrician, is going to repair my DVD player next week.
_______________________________________________________________________
5. My jacket is being cleaned at a specialist cleaner´s.
_______________________________________________________________________
6. The town hall has just been rebuilt for the council.
____________________________________________

Use the causative in the correct tenses in the following sentences:

1. The car has been working a lot better since I …………… (service).

2. Your hair looks different. ……………….. (you/cut)?

3. Your coat's dirty. Why don't you …………………… (clean)?

4. My walls are really black so I ……………………. (repaint) soon.

5. I can't type the letter for you: I ………………. (my computer/repair) at the moment.

Transform these sentences using the causative:

1. A girl manicures my boss's nails twice a week.

My...

2. Picasso painted my mother's portrait.

My...

3. The dentist is going to fill my tooth next Monday.

I...

4. Has anybody ever read your palm?

Have...

5. I’m going to pay someone to cut my grass.

I’m going to...

Grammar: causative have. Rewrite these sentences using to have something done.

Top of Form

Eg: The hairdresser cut his hair last week.

He had his hair cut last week.

1: Some builders are repairing the roof of our house.

We the roof of our house .

2: The dressmaker has shortened these trousers for me.

I these trousers .

3: Someone stole all my friend's money while she was on the beach.

My friend her money while she was on the beach.

4: A photographer took photos of the bridal couple.

The bridal couple .

5: A famous artist is going to paint her portrait.

She .

Taken from: http://www.englishpage.com/minitutorials/let.html

http://www.eslbase.com/grammar/causative

http://www.ih.hu/exercises/advanced/g5.htm

You learn something every day if you pay attention. ~Ray LeBlond