Have something done

The 'have something done' structure (a causative form) is used when you arrange for someone else to do a service or action for you. Instead of saying who does the action, you focus on the result by using have/get + object + past participle.

• Use: to describe services, repairs, or tasks performed by another person or company.
• Form: have/get + object + past participle (e.g., I had the report translated).
• Tense variations: change 'have' to the required tense (had, have had, having, will have).

Remember how the structure works and what it focuses on:

• Form: have/get + object + past participle (e.g., have the files printed).
• Focus: on the action/result, not the person who does it.
• Tenses: change 'have' for tense; use 'having' with be for arranged future actions.

Use 'get' for a more informal tone or when arranging something with some effort.

Watch out for these universal errors when using the causative:

• Using the base verb instead of the past participle (e.g., wrong: I had the report write).
• Confusing active possession ('I have a car') with causative meaning ('I had my car washed').
• Adding 'to' after have (wrong: I had to the files printed).
• Wrong word order: placing the verb before the object (wrong: I had cleaned my car).

Check that you use object + past participle and the correct tense of 'have' or 'get'.