The Causative with Have and Get

We use a causative verb when we want to talk about something that someone else did for us or for
another person. It means that the subject caused the action to happen, but didn't do it themselves.
Maybe they paid, or asked, or persuaded the other person to do it.

For example, we can say:

• I cleaned my house. (This means I cleaned it myself.)

If I paid someone to clean it, of course I can say:

• A cleaner cleaned my house.

But, another way is to use a causative construction. So I can also say:

• I had my house cleaned.

In a sense, using a causative verb is similar to using a passive. The important thing is that the house is
now clean. We don't focus on who did the cleaning.

The form is 'subject + have (in any tense) + object + past participle'.

• I've had my computer fixed.

• John will have his house painted.
• They are having their car cleaned.

We can use 'get' instead of 'have' in the causative. The pattern is: subject + get + object + past
participle.

• I got my house cleaned.

'Get' is less formal than 'have'.

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Here are some more examples of the ‘get’ causative.

• I got the car fixed. (= I arranged for the car to be fixed by someone else.)
• I'm getting my hair cut tomorrow. (= someone else is going to cut my hair tomorrow.)
• I really must get my piano tuned.

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 The Causative with 'Have' and 'Get'

Make a causative with 'have' or 'get'.

1. She arranged for someone to cut the grass. (have)

___________________________________________________________________________

2. I will arrange for someone to make some food. (have)

___________________________________________________________________________

3. He's arranging for someone to pick up the children. (have)

___________________________________________________________________________

4. I arranged for someone to paint the house. (have)

___________________________________________________________________________

5. She arranged for someone to cut her hair. (have)

___________________________________________________________________________

6. They're going to arrange for someone to fix the fridge. (have)

___________________________________________________________________________

7. He arranged for someone to edit his writing. (have)

___________________________________________________________________________

8. We are planning to arrange for someone to redo the bathroom. (have)

___________________________________________________________________________

9. She has arranged for someone to print her photos. (have)

___________________________________________________________________________

10. I am going to arrange for someone to deliver a meal. (have)

___________________________________________________________________________

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 11. I arranged for someone to clean the carpet. (get)

___________________________________________________________________________

12. Julie will arrange for someone to fix the heating. (get)

___________________________________________________________________________

13. He didn't arrange for someone to cut the grass. (get)

___________________________________________________________________________

14. We need to arrange for someone to change the tyres. (get)

___________________________________________________________________________

15. She is going to arrange for someone to paint the bedroom. (get)

___________________________________________________________________________

16. I arranged for someone to write the report. (get)

___________________________________________________________________________

17. We have arranged for someone to make the website. (get)

___________________________________________________________________________

18. Do you arrange for someone to reheel your shoes? (get)

___________________________________________________________________________

19. Lucy arranged for someone to build some shelves. (get)

___________________________________________________________________________

20. I'm going to arrange for someone to install the cooker. (get)

___________________________________________________________________________

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 Answers: The Causative with 'Have' and 'Get'

1. She had the grass cut.

2. I will have some food made.

3. He's having the children picked up.

4. I had the house painted.

5. She had her hair cut.

6. They're going to have the fridge fixed.

7. He had his writing edited.

8. We are planning to have the bathroom redone.

9. She has had her photos printed.

10. I am going to have a meal delivered.

11. I got the carpet cleaned.

12. Julie will get the heating fixed.

13. He didn't get the grass cut.

14. We need to get the tyres changed.

15. She is going to get the bedroom painted.

16. I got the report written.

17. We have got the website made.

18. Do you get your shoes reheeled?

19. Lucy got some shelves built.

20. I'm going to get the cooker installed.

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