Use have or get plus an object plus the past participle to talk about arranging for someone else to do something for you, as in I had my hair cut yesterday, instead of doing it yourself. This causative passive structure is common for services like haircuts, repairs, or cleaning.
Grammar Rule
Have/get + object + past participle describes arranging for someone else to do something for you, instead of doing it yourself.
Causative Passive: Rules and Examples
| Tense | Structure | Example |
|---|---|---|
| Present | have/get + object + past participle | He has his teeth checked every six months. |
| Past | had/got + object + past participle | I had my hair cut yesterday. She got her car repaired last week. |
| Continuous / future | are having / will have + object + participle | We are having the house painted this month. They will have the roof fixed next week. |
Remember: have/get + object + past participle for services arranged with someone else.
Practice Test
Instructions
Answer each question in the test below forming the correct causative passive sentence. You will get a new random set of questions every time you retake the test, plus a downloadable results summary with your name and score at the end.
Causative Passive – Have/Get Something Done
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Frequently Asked Questions
How do you form the causative passive with have or get?
Use have or get plus an object plus the past participle, as in I had my hair cut yesterday.
What does the causative passive express?
It expresses that someone arranged for another person to do something for them, rather than doing it themselves.
How do you use this structure in the continuous or future?
Use are having or will have plus the object plus the past participle, as in we are having the house painted this month.
Is there a difference between have and get in this structure?
They are largely interchangeable, though get can sound slightly more informal, as in she got her car repaired last week.