Have/Get Something Done

“Have/get something done” is a useful English construction that we use when we want to talk about arranging for someone else to do something for us. It’s a way to emphasize that we didn’t do the action ourselves, but rather someone else did it for us.

Usage	Structure	Examples	Explanation
Services you pay someone else to do for you	get/have + object + past participle	I get my car washed every week. She had her hair cut at a fancy salon. They are getting their house painted next month.	Emphasizes that you pay someone to perform a service for you.
Formal situations, arranging for something to be done	have + object + past participle	We had our website redesigned by a professional agency. He had his presentation translated into three languages. We had our legal documents notarized by a certified notary.	Indicates that you arranged for a service to be done by someone else in a formal context.
Things that happen to you, often negative experiences	have + object + past participle	She had her purse stolen while she was shopping. We had our flight delayed for several hours due to bad weather. He had his car broken into last night.	Describes events or actions that occur to you, usually negative experiences, without your organization or control.
Negative form	did not have/get + object + past participle	I didn’t have my computer repaired. They didn’t get their house cleaned before the guests arrived. She didn’t have her dress altered in time for the event.	Expresses the negative form of arranging or paying for a service to be done.
Question form Simple past	Did + subject + have/get + object + past participle?	Did you get your passport renewed? Did he have his car washed? Did they have their house repainted?	Forms a question to inquire about arranging or paying for a service to be done.

Grammar practice

Speaking Practice

Get into pairs or small groups.
Take turns being the speaker and the listener.
Open a box and look at the picture carefully
Start speaking about the picture using have/get something done.
Flip the card to see the answer (there are several correct answers, this is just one alternative)

Example: He hasn’t gotten his hair cut yet.