Grammar: Causative (Have something done) (Level: B1)

In this ESL lesson, we'll learn how to use the causaive voice. We use the causative voice (also known as “have or get something done”) when somebody else does something for us, for example cutting our hair, painting our house or fixing our car.

The structure is quite simple:

subject + verb "have" + object + past particicle.
Example: Maria + had + her car + repaired.


Compare:

• Michael painted his house two days ago. (He did it himself)
• Michael had his house painted two days ago. (The painters did it)
• Did you make those curtains yourself?
• Did you have those curtains made?


More examples:

• Megan is having her hair dyed.
• John will have his groceries delivered tomorrow.
• You should have your eyes tested.
• Jim has just had his ears pierced.


It’s not usually necessary to use the preposition “by” to say who did the action:

 
• The Smiths had their toilet fixed (by the plumber).

We can replace the verb 'have' by 'get', which is more common in informal English:

• We're getting a new telephone system installed.
• I need to get my house painted.
• She is going to get her letters typed.


We can also use 'have/get something done' when something bad has happened to people or their possessions. They didn’t want that to happen.

• She had her mobile phone stolen last night.
• We’ve just had our house damaged by a fire.
• I got my nose broken playing rugby.

.

Download the handout with explanations and examples of the use of the causative voice (AKA "have somehting done")

Download the worksheet with rephrasing exercises to practise the causative voice

We give all this stuff for free and the only thing we ask in return is for you to share this page on any of these social media. Thanks in advance.

Download the key to the exercises

Download the key to the exercises

Passive voice

Impersonal passive