Causative / Have/Get Something Done
Causative constructions show when you cause someone else to do an action for you, or when you arrange for something to be done. This guide focuses on the common patterns in English for having and getting things done.
Have / Get
Use have + person + base verb to show you arrange for someone to do something. Use get + person + to-infinitive to add a bit more emphasis or informality. Both highlight that another person does the action.
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Get / Have / Get Something Done
Use have/get something done (where something is the thing affected) to focus on the completed action rather than who did it. This pattern uses the past participle to show the job was done by someone else.
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Passive vs Causative
The causative have/get patterns are different from the passive voice: causatives highlight that you arranged the action, while the passive simply reports that the action happened. Choose causative when the agent or your role matters.
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Examples
| English Example | English Translation |
|---|---|
| ☕ I had the barista make my coffee. | I asked the barista to make my coffee. |
| 🥐 I got the waiter to bring extra croissants. | I persuaded the waiter to bring extra croissants. |
| 🧼 I had my dishes washed by the café staff. | The café staff washed my dishes at my request. |
| 🗑️ I got someone to clear the table next to me. | I arranged for someone to clear the nearby table. |
More Expressions
Summary
Causative constructions like have and get help you show when you arrange for others to do work for you. Remember: use have/get + person + base verb to name the doer, and have/get + thing + past participle to focus on the completed job.
Last updated: Sun Sep 14, 2025