1. CAUSATIVE VERBS: HAVE/GET SOMETHING DONE
Have somethingdone andGetsomethingdone are bothusedtorefertoactionswhichare done for
the subject rather than by the subject. Causative verbs are used instead of passive verbs to show
that the subject causes the action to be done.
1. Have somethingdone
I don´t knowhowto repaircars, so I´m havingmine repairedatthe garage roundthe corner.
2. Getsomethingdone
I reallymustgetmy eyestested.I´msure Ineedglasses.
Get your haircut!
NOTE: The differences between have and get something done are that have is slightly more
formal than get, and that get is more frequent than have in the imperative form.
EXERCISE
Rewrite these sentencesusinghave orget.
1. The mechanicchangedthe oil inmycar.
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2. The hairdressercutmyhair ina completelydifferentstyle.
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3. A decoratorhas repaintedourhouse.
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4. A friendof mine,who´sanelectrician,isgoingtorepairmyDVD playernextweek.
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5. My jacketisbeingcleaned ata specialistcleaner´s.
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6. The townhall has justbeenrebuiltforthe council.
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