Have/Get Something Done
This passive construction is very useful if we want to show that we have asked someone else to do the job for us or to express unpleasant things which happen to us.
Form:
subject (the person who receives the service) + have/get + object (which is passive) + past participle
Present Simple
I have my hair cut every month.
Past Simple
I had my teeth checked yesterday.
Future Simple
I will have my room cleaned tomorrow I hope.
Present Continuous
She is having the kitchen painted now.
Past Continuous
He was having the house designed by a famous architect.
Future Continuous
We will be having our photos taken tomorrow at 3 pm.
Present Perfect
She has already had a new dress made.
Past Perfect
I had had my grass cut yesterday before 10 am.
Future Perfect
She will have had her nails polished by afternoon.
Modals
I should have this tree cut today.
Going to
They are going to have a cake made.
Usage
We use this structure when we arrange with somebody (usually a professional) to do a job for us, in other words to provide us service:
I have my hair cut every month.
(Every month I go to my hairdresser and she cuts my hair not me and I pay her.)
I will have my room cleaned tomorrow I hope.
(A cleaning lady will do this for the wage I pay her.)
I had my teeth checked last month.
(I arranged with my dentist to meet and check my teeth.)
Look at the examples without this construction:
I cut my hair every month.
(I do this myself, I don't go to a hairdresser, I use a pair of scissors and cut my hair.)
I will clean my room tomorrow I hope.
(Nobody will do this for me I have to do it myself.)
I checked my teeth yesterday.
(I opened my mouth in front of the mirror and looked at my teeth.)
Get something done
We use this passive construction in a few situations:
1. We can replace have with get but it sounds slightly more informal.
I get my room painted every four years.
2. When it was difficult to have something done.
After many months of trying, he finally got his article published.
3. To describe things that happen by accident, or things which happen to us that are unpleasant.
My luggage got stolen somewhere at the airport.
Let's sum up this podcast, have/get something done is used to express a provided service or a mishap which happens to us. This structure is commonly used and to prove my point I advise you to watch such sitcoms as 'Sex and the City' or 'Desperate Housewives' you will hear it in almost every episode. Thanks for listening.
