Get and Have Something Done

Learn how to talk about services that other people do for you. This structure helps you explain when you arrange for someone else to do something, like fixing your phone or cutting your hair.

1. When Do We Use Get/Have Something Done

To talk about services others do for us

    • I have my hair cut every month.
    • They got their house painted last week.
    • He gets his shoes repaired at the local shop.
    • They have their food delivered every day.
    • She has her car serviced regularly.
    • We get our windows cleaned twice a year.
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2. How to Form Get/Have Something Done

Subject + have/get + object + past participle

    • I have my teeth cleaned.
    • I get my phone fixed.
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Different Tenses:

    • Present: have/get + object + past participle
    • Past: had/got + object + past participle
    • Future: will have/get + object + past participle
    • Present Perfect: have had/gotten + object + past participle

3. Common Services and Actions

Personal Care:

    • have/get your hair cut
    • have/get your nails done
    • have/get your teeth cleaned

Home Services:

    • have/get your house painted
    • have/get your windows cleaned
    • have/get your garden maintained

Professional Services:

    • have/get your car serviced
    • have/get your clothes altered
    • have/get your documents translated

4. Tips and Mistakes to Avoid

Common Mistakes:

    • I have cut my hair. (means you cut it yourself)
    • I have my hair cut. (someone else does it)

    • She had made her dress.
    • She had her dress made.

Important Tips:

    • Use past participle, not infinitive
    • Remember it means someone else does the action
    • Both ‘have‘ and ‘get‘ are correct
    • ‘Have‘ is more formal than ‘get’

3. Examples

Present Simple:

    • She has her nails done every week.
    • They get their groceries delivered on Sundays.
    • We have our house cleaned monthly.

Past Simple:

    • I had my watch repaired yesterday.
    • They got their roof fixed last summer.
    • He had his passport renewed last month.

Future:

    • I will have my car serviced next week.
    • They’re going to get their photos taken tomorrow.
    • She will have her hair dyed next month.

Present Perfect:

    • I have had my eyes tested recently.
    • They have gotten their visas renewed.
    • We have had our kitchen remodeled.

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