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

Are you confused about when to use "have something done" in English? This common grammar structure, known as the causative voice, helps you describe actions done by someone else—like "I had my hair cut" or "She had her phone fixed." Understanding this structure will make your English sound more natural and fluent. In this guide, we’ll explain what the causative voice is, how to use it correctly, and provide plenty of examples to help you practice. Let’s get started!

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


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Download the key to the exercises

Need extra practise to master the passive voice? Here are some rephrasings that may help you.

Rephrasing exercises to change from the passive voice to the active one.