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The Causative – to have something done (8th form)
[ We use the expression ‘to have something done’ ( have + object + past participle) to say:
 That somebody does something for you. Usually they’re things that are difficult to do yourself or you
don’t want to do yourself.
 That something unpleasant happened to somebody.
[ Questions and negations of the verb
[ We can use the verb
Present simple
Present continuous
Past simple
Past continuous
Future simple
Future continuous
Present perfect
Present perfect continuous
Past perfect
Past perfect continuous
Infinitive
-ing form
get
have
are formed with do/does or did.
instead of the verb have only in informal conversation.
He paints the house
He is painting the house.
He painted the house.
He was painting the house.
He will paint the house.
He will be painting the house.
He has painted the house.
He has been painting the house.
He had painted the house.
He had been painting the house.
He must paint the house.
It’s worth painting the house.
He has the house painted.
He is having the house painted.
He had the house painted.
He was having the house painted.
He will have the house painted.
He will be having the house painted.
He has had the house painted.
He has been having the house painted.
He had had the house painted.
He had been having the house painted.
He must have the house painted.
It’s worth having the house painted.
PRACTICE
Test 1. Translate these sentences.
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I must get my luggage sent to the station.
He is going to have these letters sent by air mail.
She wants to have the walls painted.
We’ve just had the house decorated.
We must get the car repaired.
I’m having a garage built at the moment.
How often do you have your hair cut?
Simon has just had a suit made.
You should have your eyes tested.
I had the carpet cleaned.
11)
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I have my hair cut once a month.
My dad has his car serviced twice a year.
At the moment Dad is having his computer fixed.
We had new cupboards made by the carpenter.
Paul had his bike stolen yesterday.
You must get your hair cut this week.
Melanie is having her picture taken.
Paul is having his tooth filled.
She has all her clothes made specially for her.
They have had their house painted.
19)
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He is going ………a new pair of glasses made.
Tim ……..his car taken to the garage tomorrow.
Jim …….his bag stolen last night.
Paul ……his jaw broken in a boxing match
yesterday.
We ……the new lock fitted next Monday.
Emi …..her newspaper delivered every morning by
her neighbour’s son.
The Smiths ………their kitchen painted at the
moment.
I ……..my hair cut short last week because I needed
a change.
He…..his car serviced by the mechanic next
Tuesday.
She …….her carpets fitted yesterday when I called.
I …….just……….my picture taken by a
professional photographer.
Mark …….some apple trees planted in a week’s
time.
Test 2. Write the correct tense in the gap.
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I think he……already …his car serviced.
At the moment my brother ….his car fixed.
He …..the front door mended last year.
At 3 o’clock yesterday he ….his hair cut.
Tomorrow he….the window cleaned.
She ……already ……her shirts ironed.
I……..my hair cut yesterday.
We ……the house painted once a year.
I ……my hair cut tomorrow.
She …..her skirt cleaned at the moment.
I ….my hair trimmed once a month.
We’re going ……central heating installed in our
house next month.
Sam …..a burglar alarm fitted last week.
I …….my car repaired at the moment.
The band …..just…..their new single recorded.
We are going ……our furniture delivered
tomorrow.
They …..their new house decorated at the moment.
23)
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18) I ……….a new jumper knitted.
31) Steve ..his wallet stolen while he was doing the
shopping.
32) I always …….my rubbish collected on Fridays.
Test 3. Rewrite these sentences using ‘ to have something done’
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They serviced Ken’s car yesterday. – Ken………
They’re repairing our roof at the moment. – We……
They’re going to fit a stereo in my car. –I ………
Someone cleans Sue’s flat once a week. –Sue……
Has anyone tested your eyes recently? –Have you………..?
Someone stole John’s briefcase last week. –John………
Someone cleans her house. – She…….
Someone cooks her meals. –She………
Someone washes her clothes. –She.……
Somebody cleans her windows. –She……
Somebody serviced her car. –She……
Somebody does her shopping. –She…..
Somebody looks after her garden. –She…..
Somebody posts her letters . –She……..
Their windows need to be cleaned. –They need………
The hairdresser was styling Mrs Brown’s hair. –Mrs Brown……
She told her son to carry the shopping to the house. –She. ……..
Dad is going to arrange for someone to cut the grass . –Dad is going………
They used to employ a cleaner who cleaned the house. –They used……
Did the mechanic repair Paul’s motorbike? –Did Paul……..?
Test 4. Rewrite the sentences using
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His teeth are checked twice a year.
Her skirt is being cleaned at the moment.
My hair is trimmed once a month.
Central heating is going to be installed in our house next month.
Sam’s burglar alarm was fitted last week.
My car is being repaired at the moment.
The band’s new single has just been recorded.
Our new furniture is going to be delivered tomorrow.
Their new house is being decorated at the moment.
The windows will be cleaned.
Test 5. Rewrite the sentences using
1)
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HAVE SOMETHING DONE
A new jumper has been knitted for me.
The lock has to be fixed.
A new pair of glasses is going to be made for him.
Their windows need to be cleaned.
The hairdresser was styling Mrs Brown’s hair.
She told her son to carry the shopping to the house.
Dad is going to arrange for someone to cut the grass.
They used to employ a cleaner who cleaned the house.
Did the mechanic repair Paul’s motorbike?
The boss asked his assistant to type the letter.
Test 6. Rewrite the sentences using
1)
2)
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5)
HAVE SOMETHING DONE
HAVE SOMETHING DONE
A plumber fixed the dripping tap for Joe.
Have you told the secretary to make some photocopies?
The chef was cooking Tom’s lunch.
Did you tell the shop to deliver the sofa to you?
My purse was stolen last Friday.
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6)
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Did you employ a painter to decorate your house?
The builders are putting a new roof on Adam’s house at the moment.
She asked the maid to polish the silver.
The man had asked the porter to take his luggage to his room.
Did you ask Jenny to arrange the flowers for you?
Test 7. Rewrite the sentences using
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When will your glasses be made?
I hired a professional to cater for my party.
Did you ask anyone to sweep the chimney?
She asked him to do the shopping.
Their house was burgled last night.
He employed a carpenter to build the fence.
Julie’s housekeeper irons all her clothes.
His shop’s windows were smashed in the riot.
Pete must have sent this letter.
He should plant some more flowers.
Test 8. Rewrite the sentences using
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HAVE SOMETHING DONE
My windows are cleaned twice a month.
The star’s latest film has just been released.
Their swimming pool will be drained.
The carpets must be laid in our flat by Monday.
The brakes on my bike have been oiled.
Our desks are being painted at the moment.
Her bookcase was delivered last week.
A new computer has been ordered for me.
Annie’s sculptures are going to be exhibited tomorrow.
A skateboard was being made for Tim.
Test 10. Rewrite the sentences using
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HAVE SOMETHING DONE
The hairdresser is cutting my hair on Tuesday.
Did a professional make the cake for you?
Somebody stole my car last weekend.
An electrician fitted the new lights for Sandra.
The woman had asked the waiter to bring the bill to the table.
They employed a plumber to fit the shower.
Have you asked the secretary to fax the contract to Mr Brown?
Alan’s mum washes all his clothes.
The mechanic at the garage serviced their car.
He told the student to clean the blackboard.
Test 9. Rewrite the sentences using
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HAVE SOMETHING DONE
HAVE SOMETHING DONE
Holly is going to ask Mary to sew her dress.
Someone has tidied the garden for Mark.
When will they fix his telephone?
Pat pays someone to clean the windows every week.
Can you tell someone to move those boxes?
When will they deliver Dan’s sofa?
Howard should ask someone to deliver the package.
When will you service the car?
Pay someone to make the curtains for you.
Someone has shortened Alice’s skirt.