have something done

Meanings

1. 1phrasefixed phrase

   To arrange for someone to do a service or task for you, rather than doing it yourself.

   Grammar: The structure is 'have + object + past participle'. The object is the thing affected, and the past participle shows what is done to it.

   Patterns

   • have something done
   • have something done by someone
   • have your hair cut

   I'm having my car repaired tomorrow.

   She had her nails done before the wedding.

   We need to have the roof fixed before winter.

2. 2phrasefixed phrase

   To experience something unpleasant that someone else does to you or your belongings.

   Grammar: Often used for unfortunate events, like 'have your wallet stolen' or 'have your house broken into'.

   Patterns

   • have something stolen
   • have something broken

   He had his phone stolen on the train.

   They had their house burgled while they were away.

Common combinations

have your hair cut

I need to have my hair cut this weekend.

have something repaired

She had her washing machine repaired yesterday.

have something delivered

We had the furniture delivered to our new apartment.

have something cleaned

He has his suit cleaned after every wear.

Synonyms and how they differ

get something done

Same meaning but more informal and common in British English; 'get' can also suggest you did more of the work yourself in some contexts.

Word family

have verb

The base verb used in this causative structure.

done verb

Past participle of 'do', used here to show the action completed by someone else.

Commonly confused: have something done or have done something?

Practice

Make it your own

Write a sentence using “have something done”, then check it and compare it with the examples above.

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