B2 · Causative — Lesson

What is the causative?

Causative structures describe arranging for someone else to do something for you. The most common is have/get + object + past participle.

subject + have/get + object + past participle ✓

Service arranged

I had my car repaired yesterday. (a mechanic repaired it for me)

Personal service

She got her hair cut. (a hairdresser cut it)

Have vs do — important distinction

have something done (someone else)

I had my hair cut.

a hairdresser cut it

She has her car serviced every year.

do it yourself

I cut my hair.

I cut it myself

She services her car herself.

Have vs get — register difference

have something done (neutral)

I'm having the windows cleaned tomorrow.

get something done (informal)

I'm getting the windows cleaned tomorrow.

In all tenses

had/will have/have had + obj + PP

get is slightly more informal but works in most contexts. have is the more standard form.

Negative experience — get/have + done

Things that happen TO you (often unwanted)

Unwanted event

She had her bag stolen at the station.

Unwanted event

He got his car damaged in the accident.

Force

She had her purse snatched.

Same structure, different meaning: usually obvious from context whether it's arranged (positive) or happened to them (negative).

Common mistakes

I have repaired my car.

→

I had my car repaired.

word order: have + object + PP

She got cut her hair.

→

She got her hair cut.

object before past participle

I will have my house paint next week.

→

I will have my house painted next week.

past participle (not base verb)

Recap

Form

have/get + object + past participle

I had my car repaired.

Meaning

someone else does it for/to you

arranged service or unwanted event

Have vs get

have = neutral · get = informal

had/got my hair cut

Word order

object comes BEFORE past participle

had her bag stolen (not had stolen her bag)

Practice now →