Study this example situation:
The roof of Jill's house was damaged in a storm, so she arranged for somebody to repair it. Yesterday a workman came and did the job. Jill had the roof repaired yesterday.
This means: Jill arranged for somebody else to repair the roof. She didn't repair it herself.
We use have something done to say that we arrange for somebody else to do something for us.
Compare:
* Jill repaired the roof. (= she repaired it herself)
* Jill had the roof repaired. (= she arranged for somebody else to repair it)
Study these sentences:
* Did Ann make the dress herself or did she have it made?
* 'Are you going to repair the car yourself?' 'No, I'm going to have it repaired.'
Be careful with word order. The past participle (repaired/cut etc.) is after the object (the roof your hair etc.):
have + object + past participle
Jill had the roof repaired yesterday.
Where did you have your hair cut?
Your hair looks nice. Have you had it cut?
Julia has just had central heating installed in her house.
We are having the house painted at the moment.
How often do you have your car serviced?
I think you should have that coat cleaned soon.
I don't like having my photograph taken.
You can also say 'get something done' instead of 'have something done' (mainly in informal spoken English):
* When are you going to get the roof repaired? (= have the roof repaired)
* I think you should get your hair cut.
Sometimes have something done has a different meaning. For example:
* Jill and Eric had all their money stolen while they were on holiday.
Of course this does not mean that they arranged for somebody to steal their money. 'They had all their money stolen' means only: 'All their money was stolen from them.'
With this meaning, we use have something done to say that something happens to somebody or their belongings. Usually what happens is not nice:
* George had his nose broken in a fight.
* Have you ever had your passport stolen?
EXERCISES
45.1 Tick (V) the correct sentence, (a) or (b), for each picture.
1. SARAH
a Sarah is cutting her hair.
b Sarah is having her hair cut.
2. BILL
a Bill is cutting his hair.
b Bill is having his hair cut.
3. JOHN
a John is cleaning his shoes.
b John is having his shoes cleaned.
4. SUE
a Sue is taking a photograph.
b Sue is having her photograph taken.
45.2 Why did you do these things? Answer using 'have something done'. Use one of these verbs: clean cut repair service
1. Why did you take your car to the garage? _To have it serviced._
2. Why did you take your jacket to the cleaner's? To ---
3. Why did you take your watch to the jeweller's? ---
4. Why did you go to the hairdresser? ---
45.3 Write sentences in the way shown.
1. Jill didn't repair the roof herself. She _had it repaired._
2. I didn't cut my hair myself. I ---
3. They didn't paint the house themselves. They ---
4. Sue didn't make the curtains herself. ---
45.4 Use the words in brackets to complete the sentences. Use the structure 'have something done'.
1. We _are having the house painted_ (the house/paint) at the moment.
2. I lost my key. I'll have to --- (another key/make).
3. When was the last time you --- (your hair/cut)?
4. You look different --- (you/your hair/cut)?
5. --- (you/a newspaper/deliver) to your house or do you go to the shop to buy one?
6. A: What are those workmen doing in your garden?
B: Oh, we --- (a swimming pool/build).
7. A: Can I see the photographs you took when you were on holiday?
B: I'm afraid I --- (not/the film/develop) yet.
8. This coat is dirty. I must --- (it/clean).
9. If you want to wear earrings, why don't you --- (your ears/pierce)?
45.5 Now you have to use 'have something done' with its second meaning.
1. George's nose was broken in a fight.
What happened to George? _He had his nose broken in a fight._
2. Sarah's bag was stolen on a train.
What happened to Sarah? She ---
3. Fred's hat was blown off in the wind.
What happened to Fred? ---
4. Diane's passport was taken away from her by the police.
What happened to Diane? ---
45.1
1 b 2 a 3 a 4 b
45.2
2 To have it cleaned.
3 To have it repaired.
4 To have my hair cut.
45.3
2 I had it cut.
3 They had it painted.
4 She had them made.
45.4
2 have another key made
3 had your hair cut
4 Have you had your hair cut
5 Do you have a newspaper delivered
6 are having a swimming pool built
7 haven't had the film developed
8 have it cleaned
9 have your ears pierced
45.5
2 She had her bag stolen on a train.
3 He had his hat blown off in the wind.
4 She had her passport taken away from her by the police.
