CAUSATIVE FORM

Form

Have + object + verb  (past participle) - have something done
Have + object + infinitive -- have someone do something

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Meaning

1.       We use causative when arranging for someone to do something for us.

·         They had their car repaired. (They arranged for someone to repair it)
Compare: They repaired their car. (They did it themselves)

·         I had my hair cut yesterday. (I went to the hairdresser)
Compare: I cut my hair yesterday. (I cut it myself)

2.       We use causative when someone does something to us.

·         Bill had his money stolen.

3.       We can use have someone do something to talk about giving instructions or orders (more common in American English).

·         I had my assistant type the report.

·         I'll have my lawyer look into it.

1 Formation

The Causative Form is used when we don´t do something ourselves, but we arrange for someone else (usually an expert) to do it for us.

Subject	+	Have/Get	+	Object	+	Past Participle
He		had		his car		serviced

2 Verb forms in the Causative Form

In the next table there are a few examples of the causative form in diferent verb forms.

Verb forms	Active Voice	Causative Form
Present Simple	We paint the house every year.	We have the house painted every year.
Present Progressive	Beth is washing her car.	Beth is having her car washed.
Past Simple	He typed three letters yesterday.	He had three letters typed yesterday.
Future "Will"	We will install the lights next week.	We will have the lights installed next week.
Present Perfect Simple	The girls have repaired their bicycles.	The girls have had their bicycles repaired.
Modal verbs	You should fix the leakage in the tank.	You should have the leakage in the tank fixed.
Imperative	Clean the table, please.	Have the table cleaned, please.