Lesson 88 — Have Something Done
Causative have/get, service requests, and how long things take.
Lesson 10 / 15 0%
Lesson goal
Services & Causative Structures
In this lesson you talk about **how long a service takes** and use **have something done** (passive) and **get someone to do something** (active).
Golden summary
- have/had/will have + object + V3 (service — doer hidden)
- How long will it take to have …?
- get + person + to + verb (doer named)
- express service · I appreciate it · I owe you one
1. Have something done
**have / had / will have + object + past participle (V3)** You arrange for someone else to do a service — the doer is not mentioned.
- She had her car fixed.
- To dry-clean a suit → I want to have my suit dry-cleaned.
- To repair shoes → I want to have my shoes repaired. / I had my shoes repaired.
- To frame a picture → She had the picture framed.
- To deliver a package → They had the package delivered.
- To print a sign → I will have the sign printed.
- We had our pictures taken after the meeting.
- I had my car washed. · He had the house cleaned.
- They will have the offices painted.
2. How long will it take?
- How long will it take to have a picture framed?
- How long will it take to have this sign printed?
- How long will it take to have these shoes repaired?
- How long will it take to have the package delivered?
3. Dialogue — express dry-cleaning
**express service** = urgent / fast service · **requesting** = asking for something
- A: Could you have this jacket dry-cleaned by tomorrow?
- B: Tomorrow? That might be difficult.
- A: I'm sorry, but it's pretty urgent. My friend is getting married this weekend.
- B: Well, I'll see what I can do. But it won't be ready until after 4:00.
- A: I really appreciate it. Thank you.
4. Get someone to do something
**get + person + to + verb** — you persuade or make someone do something. The person who does the action **is named**.
- I got my students to do their homework.
- He got me to wash the car.
- Why don't you get your kids to clean the room?
5. have vs get
| Structure | Doer named? | Example | | **have + obj + V3** | No (service) | I had my car washed. | | **get + person + to + V** | Yes | He got me to wash the car. |
6. Saying thanks
- I appreciate it. / I really appreciate it. (قدردانم)
- Thank you. · Thanks a million.
- I owe you one. (بهت ممنونم / یکی مدیونتم)
- You're a lifesaver!