Passive Voice/Causative Form (have somethingdone)

We use have + object + past participle to talk about something which we arrange for someone else to do for us: I’m having a garage built at the moment.

Compare:

I’m building a garage at the moment. (I’m building the garage myself)

I’m having a garage built at the moment. (I arranged for someone else to do this for me)

We can use have + object + past participle to express accidents or misfortunes. She had her car stolen. (= Her car was stolen.) He had his leg broken. (= His leg was broken.)

Get can be used instead of have in the causative: I had/got my tooth taken out yesterday. (Get is stronger in meaning than have and can be used to suggest difficulty). Get the door repaired, will you? He finally got the seats booked.

1.(A) Rewrite these sentences. Use have + object + past participle. Change some words if necessary:

1. Someone delivers the newspapers. (We) We have the newspapers delivered.

2. Someone cleaned the carpets every year. (I)

3. We ask someone to check the accounts every month. (We)

4. Someone sends the money to my bank account in London.

5. My camera’s being repaired at the moment. (I’m)

6. He split coffee on my jacket so he took it away for cleaning. (He split coffee on my jacket so he …)

7. I think it’s time to service the car. (It’s time to)

8. I don’t like the office curtains. It’s time to change them. (I think I’ll)

9. The computer is no good: we are changing it. (We)

10. I send the films to England: they are processed there. (I)

(B) Model: His teeth are checked twice a year.

He has his teeth checked twice a year.

1. His skirt is being cleaned at the moment.

2. My hair is trimmed once a month.

3. Central heating is going to be installed in our house next month.

4. Sam’s burglar alarm was fitted last week.

5. My car is being repaired at the moment.

6. The band’s new single has just been recorded.

7. Our new furniture is going to be delivered tomorrow.

8. Their new house is being decorated at the moment.

9. The windows will be cleaned.

10. A new jumper has been knitted for me.

11. The hairdresser was styling Mrs. Brown’s hair.

12. She told her son to carry the shopping to the house.

13. Dad is going to arrange for someone to cut the grass.

14. They used to employ a cleaner who cleaned the house.

15. Did the mechanic repair Paul’s motorbike?

16. The boss asked his assistant to type the letter.

17. A plumber fixed the dripping tap for Joe.

18. Have you told the secretary to make some photocopies?

19. The chef was cooking Tom’s lunch.

20. Did you tell the shop to deliver the sofa to you?

21. My purse was stolen last Friday.

22. Did you employ a painter to decorate your house?

23. The builders are putting a new roof on Adam’s house at the moment.

24. She asked the maid to polish the silver.

25. The man had asked the porter to carry his luggage to his room.

26. Did you ask Jenny to arrange the flowers for you?

27. When will your glasses be made?

28. I hired a professional to cater for my party.

29. Did you ask anyone to sweep the chimney?

30. She asked him to do the shopping.

31. Their house was burgled last night.

32. He employed a carpenter to build the fence.

33. Julie’s housekeeper irons all her clothes.

34. His shops windows were smashed in the riot.

35. A new pair of glasses was bought for him.

Oral activity