🔧 Have & Get Something Done
📸 What services do you pay others to do for you? (e.g., car repair, hair cut, cleaning)
Before Reading
1. Think and discuss: What things do you not do yourself? Who does them for you? (e.g., “I don’t cut my own hair – a hairdresser does it.”)
2. Key vocabulary preview: Listen to each word, then read the meaning.
Now read two short stories. Notice how we say that someone else did the action for the person.
Story 1: Emma's Busy Week (Passive Causative)
Emma just started a new job, so she has no time for housework. She decided to hire professionals. On Monday, she had her carpets cleaned. On Tuesday, she got her windows washed. On Wednesday, she had her grocery shopping delivered by an app. On Thursday, she got her laundry done at the dry cleaner’s. On Friday, she had her nails painted at a salon. “I love my life!” she said. But then disaster struck: she had her wallet stolen at the supermarket. Luckily, she got her money refunded by the bank.
✅ Quick comprehension check:
Story 2: Tom's Lazy Weekend (Active Causative)
Tom is very lazy. He never does anything himself. On Saturday morning, he had his little sister clean his room. Then he got his friend to buy him breakfast. His mother made him take out the trash – he couldn’t say no! Later, his dad let him borrow the car. Tom got his neighbour to walk his dog. In the evening, he had his girlfriend cook dinner. “Why do things yourself when others can do them for you?” he laughed. But then his boss made him work on Sunday – no more laziness!
✅ Quick comprehension check:
Grammar Focus: Causative Structures
Passive Causative (focus on the service/object): have/get + object + past participle
Active Causative (focus on the person who does it): have + person + base verb & get + person + to + base verb
Other causative verbs: let + person + base verb (allow), make + person + base verb (force).
| Structure | Example from story |
|---|---|
| have + object + past participle | She had her carpets cleaned. |
| get + object + past participle | She got her windows washed. |
| have + person + base verb | He had his sister clean his room. |
| get + person + to + verb | He got his friend to buy breakfast. |
| make + person + base verb | His mother made him take out the trash. |
| let + person + base verb | His dad let him borrow the car. |
✍️ Practice: Rewrite the sentences using a causative structure. Click to check.
1. A mechanic repaired my car. → I ______.
2. The hairdresser cuts her hair every month. → She ______.
3. The teacher forced us to do extra homework. → The teacher ______.
4. My parents allowed me to stay out late. → My parents ______.
🎙️ Pronunciation Focus: Have & Get in Causative Sentences
In fast speech, have often sounds like /hæv/ or weak form /həv/. Get sounds like /ɡet/. Listen and repeat:
⚠️ Notice the linking: “had my” → /hæd maɪ/.
Practice with phrases from the stories: Click to hear, then repeat.
🔑 Key Vocabulary (with audio)
Speaking: Tell Your Own Causative Story
Imagine you are very busy (like Emma) or very lazy (like Tom). Record yourself describing three things you have done for you using causative structures. Try to use have/get + object + past participle and one example of make or let.
Example: "I had my house cleaned yesterday. I got my groceries delivered. My boss made me work late."
Your answer:
🚫 Find the Mistakes – Correct these sentences
1. I had cut my hair yesterday.
2. She got her car to repair.
3. He made me to clean his room.
4. They had their dinner serve at 8pm.
