to have something doneCompare 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 had 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 doneThe 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

1. We ___ our flat ___ next month.2. A: Your hair looks fantastic! B: Thanks. I ___ it ___

yesterday.3. My coat is really dirty. I need to ___ it ___ .4. You should ___ your car ___ every 10,000 kilometers.5. A: Our fridge is broken. B: Are you going to buy a new

one or ___ it ___.6. I’ll need to ___ my passport ___ before my next

holiday.7. Our neighbour is ___ a new garage ___ at the moment.

build clean cut paint renew repair service

1. We are having our flat painted next month.2. A: Your hair looks fantastic! B: Thanks. I had / got it

cut yesterday.3. My coat is really dirty. I need to have it cleaned.4. You should have your car serviced every 10,000

kilometers.5. A: Our fridge is broken. B: Are you going to buy a new

one or have it repaired?6. I’ll need to have my passport renewed before my next

holiday.7. Our neighbour is having a new garage built at the

moment.

• 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.