Causative 'have'
B2 Upper IntermediateThe causative 'have' describes a situation where one person arranges for another person to perform a service or task. It focuses on the result of the action rather than the person performing it.
Overview
The causative have something done is used when we do not perform an action ourselves, but instead instruct, pay, or persuade someone else to do it for us. It is commonly used for professional services such as repairs, medical appointments, or home improvements.
- It emphasizes the process or the result.
- The agent (the person doing the work) is usually omitted because they are obvious or unimportant.
- It can also describe an unpleasant experience where something happened to someone, such as a theft or an accident.
Form
subject + have (any tense) + object + past participle
The verb have can be conjugated into any tense (present, past, continuous, or perfect). The object must come between the verb have and the past participle.
Examples
Common mistakes
I had cut my hair.
I had my hair cut.
The first sentence is the past perfect, meaning you did the cutting yourself. The second is the causative, meaning a barber did it.
I had my car repair.
I had my car repaired.
The causative structure always requires the past participle (V3), not the base form of the verb.
Have vs. Get
While both are causative, get is much more common in spoken English.
| Structure | Usage/Tone |
|---|---|
| Have something done | More formal; emphasizes the arrangement or the professional service. |
| Get something done | More informal; often implies there was some difficulty in finishing the task. |
Practice
Rewrite the sentence using the causative 'have': 'A mechanic is repairing Sarah's car.'
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Sarah is having her car repaired.
Answer:Sarah is having her car repaired.
Why:The present continuous 'is having' matches the original tense, followed by the object 'her car' and the past participle 'repaired'.
Complete the sentence: 'I need to go to the optician to ______ (my eyes / test).'
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have my eyes tested
Answer:have my eyes tested
Why:The structure requires 'have' + object (my eyes) + past participle (tested).
Which sentence implies an accident? A) I had my roof fixed. B) I had my bike stolen.
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B
Answer:B
Why:The causative 'have' can describe experiences where something (usually negative) happens to a person's possessions.