Causative 'Have'/'Get'

Use causative have when arranging for someone to do something for us

•   They repaired their car. (they did it themselves)
•   They had their car repaired. (they arranged for someone to repair it)
•   I cut my hair yesterday. (I cut it myself)
•   I had my hair cut yesterday. (I went to the hairdresser)

Use causative have when someone does something to us

• Bill had his money stolen by thief

 

Use causative have someone do something to talk about giving instruction or orders which is more common in American English

• I had my assistant type the report
• I’ll have my lawyer look into it

 

IMPORTANT POINTS!!!

Get is possible instead of have, usually in informal spoken English

I’m going to get my car fixed tomorrow

GET VS HAVE

I got the mechanic to check my brakes.

(At first the mechanic didn’t think it was necessary, but I convinced him to check the brakes)

I had the mechanic check my brakes.

(I asked the mechanic to check the brakes)

Another Example:

• I’d have my garden weeded and my lawn mowed.
• I’d have my bedroom redecorated in beautiful oriental sumptuous colors and fabrics.
• I’d have the evening meal cooked by a professional cook.
• I’d have my shopping done and the house cleaned from top and bottom every two days.
• This would leave me time to do the things I enjoy, like reading, chatting to friends, going for walks and playing tennis.
•  John got Susan to rake the leaves
• I have been making my kids shovel the sidewalks after every snowfall
• I have to get my wife to pick me up after work because my car is in for repairs
• I had my wallet stolen
• Dr. Smith had his nurse take the patient’s temperature
• I had the mechanic check the brakes
• Susie got her son to take the medicine even thought it tasted terrible
• How can parents get their children to read more?
• The government TV commercials are trying to get people to stop smoking 
• I had my washing machine fixed.
• I got her to let me copy her homework.
• He’ll get them to arrive before 10 pm.
• I’ll have it done by tomorrow morning.
• I had my jacket cleaned yesterday = I got my jacket cleaned.
• I had my computer fixed = I got my computer fixed.
• She had her window smashed.