Ampersand Lab

Intermediate grammar · Lesson 46 · B1

have something done

Have something done means you arrange for somebody else to do it; get something done means the same, less formally. It can also describe something unpleasant that happens to you: he had his car broken into.

Start the lesson

14Steps · about 19 minutes

In this lesson

Arranging for somebody else to do itA2 screens of questions
Word order: have + object + past participleB3 screens of questions
get something doneC2 screens of questions
Things that happen to youD1 screen of questions

Point A of 4

Arranging for somebody else to do it

The fence at the bottom of Marion's garden blew down in the storm. She rang a joiner, and yesterday he came and put up a new one.

Marion had the fence replaced yesterday. She arranged for somebody else to do it. She did not do it herself, and anybody who has met Marion would not expect her to.

Compare: Marion replaced the fence (she did it herself) and Marion had the fence replaced (somebody else did).

  • Marion had the fence replaced yesterday.
  • "Did you make that cake yourself?" "Yes, I love baking."
  • "Did you have that cake made?" "No, I made it myself."

Point A · Exercise 46.3 · part 1 of 2

Write sentences in the same way as the example.

  1. Example

    Marion didn't replace the fence herself. She had it replaced.

    AnswerMarion didn't replace the fence herself. She had it replaced.

  2. I didn't paint the kitchen myself. I .

  3. We didn't clean the windows ourselves. We .

  4. Ahmed didn't build that shed himself. He .

  5. I didn't deliver the parcel myself. I .

Point A · Exercise 46.3 · part 2 of 2

Write sentences in the same way as the example.

  1. Nina didn't mend her boots herself. She .

Point B of 4

Word order: have + object + past participle

have object past participle
Marion had the fence replaced.
Where did you have your hair cut?
We are having the kitchen painted.
I don't like having my photo taken.

Not have serviced your car and not having built a porch.

  • How often do you have your boiler serviced? (not have serviced your boiler)
  • Our neighbours are having a porch built. (not having built a porch)
  • Your hair looks great. Did you have it cut?

Point B · Exercise 46.1

Read each scene and choose the right sentence, a or b.

  1. Example

    Jodie is sitting in a salon chair while a hairdresser cuts her hair.

    (a) Jodie is cutting her hair. (b) Jodie is having her hair cut.

    b

    AnswerJodie is having her hair cut.

  2. Dev is standing at the bathroom mirror with a pair of scissors, trimming his own fringe.

    (a) Dev is cutting his hair. (b) Dev is having his hair cut.

  3. Kath is drinking tea in the garden while a decorator paints her front door.

    (a) Kath is painting the door. (b) Kath is having the door painted.

  4. Sue is holding up her phone and taking a photo of the sunset.

    (a) Sue is taking a picture. (b) Sue is having her picture taken.

Point B · Exercise 46.2 · part 1 of 2

Put the words in the right order.

  1. Example

    (painted / had / last spring / the house) We had the house painted last spring.

    AnswerWe had the house painted last spring.

  2. (serviced / van / every year / his / has) Martin .

  3. (had / your / lately / tested / hearing / you?) Have

  4. (like / taken / my / having / don't / photo) I .

  5. (twenty pounds / have / cleaned / my coat / cost / to) It .

Point B · Exercise 46.2 · part 2 of 2

Put the words in the right order.

  1. (before the interview / need / ironed / to get / your shirt) You .

Point C of 4

get something done

Get something done means the same as have something done and is a little more informal.

  • When are you going to get that broken window replaced?
  • You should get your coat dry-cleaned before winter.

Point C · Exercise 46.4 · part 1 of 2

Match each sentence on the left with the sentence that follows it.

Use these

  1. I need to get it fixed.
  2. I'll have to get it looked at.
  3. I need to get my eyes tested.
  4. I should get it cut.
  5. I'll get them taken up.
  6. I'm going to get it framed.

  1. Example

    My hair's getting long.

    d

    AnswerMy hair's getting long. I should get it cut.

  2. I love this print.

  3. The dishwasher has packed up.

  4. These trousers are too long.

  5. Do you know a good optician?

Point C · Exercise 46.4 · part 2 of 2

Match each sentence on the left with the sentence that follows it.

Use these

  1. I need to get it fixed.
  2. I'll have to get it looked at.
  3. I need to get my eyes tested.
  4. I should get it cut.
  5. I'll get them taken up.
  6. I'm going to get it framed.

  1. My car is making a strange rattling noise.

Point D of 4

Things that happen to you

Have something done has a second meaning: something, usually unpleasant, happens to somebody or their belongings. Nobody arranged it.

Megan and Rob had their passports stolen in Barcelona does not mean they hired a pickpocket. It means only that their passports were stolen.

  • Megan and Rob had their passports stolen in Barcelona.
  • Lewis had his nose broken playing rugby.
  • Have you ever had your car broken into?

Point D · Exercise 46.5

Use the words in brackets to complete the sentences.

  1. Example

    Did I tell you about Megan and Rob? (They / their passports / steal) They had their passports stolen.

    AnswerDid I tell you about Megan and Rob? They had their passports stolen.

  2. Security at the stadium was very tight. (We / our bags / search) .

  3. Great news about the car! (I / my insurance / reduce) .

  4. Tomasz can't stay in the country. (He / his visa application / refuse) .

Lesson 46 · Result

How you did

Next lesson: Reported speech 1 (he said that ...)Back to the course

–Right

Each point

A. Arranging for somebody else to do it–Not checkedB. Word order: have + object + past participle–Not checkedC. get something done–Not checkedD. Things that happen to you–Not checked