How to Use "Have Something Done" in English

The structure "have something done" is a useful grammar form in English. It is used to describe actions that someone arranges for another person to do. This guide will explain how it works, when to use it, and provide plenty of examples to help you understand.

What Does "Have Something Done" Mean?

The phrase "have something done" is used when someone arranges for someone else to do a job or service for them. It’s a way to talk about actions performed by other people.

Examples:

I had my car washed. (I arranged for someone to wash my car.)
She is having her hair cut. (A hairstylist is cutting her hair.)
We will have the house painted. (We will hire painters to paint the house.)

Structure of "Have Something Done"

The basic structure is:

Subject + have + object + past participle

Let’s break it down:

Subject: The person who arranges for the action.
Have: The main verb, which changes depending on the tense.
Object: The thing that is affected by the action.
Past participle: The form of the verb that shows the action (e.g., washed, cleaned, repaired).

Examples:

They had their roof repaired after the storm.
We are having a new website designed by a professional.
He will have his suit cleaned before the wedding.

When to Use "Have Something Done"

You can use "have something done" in various situations, such as:

To describe services:
We had the lawn mowed last weekend.
To talk about repairs:
She is having her phone fixed right now.
To explain professional tasks:
He will have his taxes prepared by an accountant.
To discuss beauty or grooming:
I am having my nails done tomorrow.

How to Use "Have Something Done" in Different Tenses

The verb "have" changes to match the tense of the sentence. Here are some examples:

Present simple:
I have my car cleaned every week.
Past simple:
She had her hair dyed yesterday.
Future simple:
We will have the garden redesigned next month.
Present continuous:
They are having the carpets cleaned right now.
Present perfect:
I have had my windows replaced recently.

Negative and Question Forms

You can also use "have something done" in negative sentences and questions. Here’s how:

Negative:
I did not have my car fixed because it was too expensive.
Questions:
When will you have the roof repaired?

Common Mistakes with "Have Something Done"

Here are some mistakes learners often make and how to avoid them:

Using the wrong verb form:
Incorrect: She had her hair cuts.
Correct: She had her hair cut.
Confusing "have something done" with active voice:
Incorrect: I fixed my car (if you didn’t do it yourself).
Correct: I had my car fixed (if someone else did it).
Forgetting the object:
Incorrect: He had done.
Correct: He had the job done.

Why Use "Have Something Done"?

There are several reasons to use this structure:

It emphasizes that someone else performs the action.
It is polite and professional when discussing services or repairs.
It avoids unnecessary details about who does the action.

Example: Instead of saying, "A mechanic fixed my car," you can say, "I had my car fixed."

Practice Exercises

Now it’s your turn to practice. Complete these sentences using "have something done" in the correct form:

She _______ (fix) her bike yesterday.
They _______ (paint) their house next month.
We _______ (clean) the carpets every year.
He _______ (repair) his computer tomorrow.

Answers:

She had her bike fixed yesterday.
They will have their house painted next month.
We have the carpets cleaned every year.
He will have his computer repaired tomorrow.

Examples in Everyday Life

Here are more examples to show how "have something done" is used in daily conversations:

At the salon: I had my hair styled for the wedding.
At the mechanic: He had his car serviced before the trip.
At home: We are having the windows cleaned this afternoon.
For events: They will have the decorations set up tomorrow.

Frequently Asked Questions About "Have Something Done"

Can I use "get" instead of "have"?
Yes, you can use "get something done" in informal English.
Example: I got my car repaired.
Is this structure used in the passive voice?
No, but it emphasizes that someone else performs the action.
Can it be used for negative events?
Yes, it can describe bad experiences.
Example: I had my wallet stolen.

Conclusion

The "have something done" structure is essential for describing actions arranged by someone else. With practice, you’ll use it confidently in your conversations. Remember the key rules, study the examples, and try using it in real-life situations!