Mastering the Passive Voice: Understanding "Have Something Done"

Introduction:

Welcome to an insightful grammar lesson on the passive voice construction: "Have something done." In this lesson, we'll explore how this structure is used to indicate actions arranged by someone else, as well as its alternative form, "get something done." Additionally, we'll discuss a distinct usage of "have something done" to express events happening to someone or their belongings. Let's dive in!

Understanding "Have Something Done":

In English, "have something done" is a construction used to express actions arranged for someone else to perform. Let's break down its usage with the help of an example:

Example: Lisa had the roof repaired yesterday.

This sentence indicates that Lisa arranged for someone else to repair the roof, rather than doing it herself.

Key Points:

• For example: "Lisa had her car serviced," "We are having a garage built."
• It's important to note the word order: "have + object + past participle."

Alternative Form: "Get Something Done":

An alternative to "have something done" is "get something done," which serves the same purpose. This form is particularly common in conversational English. Let's see an example:

When are you going to get the roof repaired? This sentence has the same meaning as "have the roof repaired."

Distinct Usage:

It's crucial to understand that "have something done" can also express events happening to someone or their belongings rather than actions arranged by them. Let's clarify with an example:

Paul and Karen had their bags stolen while they were travelling.

In this context, "had their bags stolen" simply means that their bags were stolen, not that they arranged for someone to steal them.

Conclusion:

Congratulations! You've mastered the passive voice construction "have something done." You now understand how to use it to indicate actions arranged by someone else, as well as its alternative form "get something done." Remember to pay attention to the word order and context to accurately convey your intended meaning. Keep practising, and soon, you'll wield this grammatical tool with confidence.

Happy learning!

Try this exercise to test your grammar.

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