to have something done Compare these situations: Clare decorated the room. She did it herself. Steve is repairing his son’s bicycle. Clare had the room decorated. A decorator did the work. Steve is having his son’s bicycle repaired. A bike mechanic is repairing it.

Look at these examples: HAVE SOMETHING DONE You should have your car serviced regularly. Mark usually has his suits cleaned at the drycleaner’s. We had the television repaired only last year. You’ve your hair cut. Our neighbours are having a new garage built. Is Melanie having a new cooker installed?

In negatives and questions use a form of do. Mark doesn’t have his suits cleaned at the drycleaners. We didn’t have new windows put in because it was too expensive. Do you have your car serviced regularly? Where did you have your hair cut?

get something done The use of get more informal. We must get another key made for the office. Laura got her shoes repaired. We’re getting the carpet cleaned. Where did you get your hair cut? Do you get your homework checked before handing it in?

have meaning to experience something The same structure can be used with the meaning experience something, often something unpleasant. We had all our money stolen. The car had it’s mirror broken off.

have someone do something In this case we ask or pay someone to do something for us. I had my mom mend my trousers for me. She’s going to have her boyfriend book the tickets. In the end Paul didn’t have his teacher correct the letter for him.

build clean cut paint renew repair service We ___ our flat ___ next month. A: Your hair looks fantastic! B: Thanks. I ___ it ___ yesterday. My coat is really dirty. I need to ___ it ___ . You should ___ your car ___ every 10,000 kilometers. A: Our fridge is broken. B: Are you going to buy a new one or ___ it ___. I’ll need to ___ my passport ___ before my next holiday. Our neighbour is ___ a new garage ___ at the moment.

build clean cut paint renew repair service We are having our flat painted next month. A: Your hair looks fantastic! B: Thanks. I had / got it cut yesterday. My coat is really dirty. I need to have it cleaned. You should have your car serviced every 10,000 kilometers. A: Our fridge is broken. B: Are you going to buy a new one or have it repaired? I’ll need to have my passport renewed before my next holiday. Our neighbour is having a new garage built at the moment.

Think of something you have had done recently Think of something you have had done recently. Write a couple of sentences. Think of someone you have had do something for you. Write a couple of sentences.