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Causatives (have/get something done)

Causatives are a way to describe actions that someone else does for us, or that are done to us, using the patterns have + object + past participle or get + object + past participle.

B2Verbs & Verb Patterns

What is it?

Causatives, also known as have or get something done, is a way to describe actions that someone else does for us, or that are done to us.

  • We use the pattern have + object + past participle to show that someone does something for us, like having my car fixed.
  • We use the pattern get + object + past participle to show that someone does something for us, but with a slightly different emphasis, like getting my car fixed.

When do we use it?

  • We use causatives when we want to describe an action that someone else does for us, like having a document translated.
  • We use causatives when we want to describe an action that is done to us, like getting a haircut.
  • We use causatives to describe a consequence of an action, like having a new policy implemented because of a problem.

Examples

  • She had her car washed yesterday.
  • He got his hair cut at the barber's.
  • I am having my computer fixed right now.
  • They got their house painted last summer.
  • She is getting her nails done for the wedding.
  • He had his phone repaired after it was damaged.

Common Mistakes

  • Wrong: She makes her car wash. Correct: She had her car washed.
  • Wrong: He gets his hair cutting. Correct: He got his hair cut.
  • Wrong: I am making my computer fix. Correct: I am having my computer fixed.

Memory Trick

Remember that when you use causatives, you are describing an action that someone else does for you, so try to think of it like giving instructions to someone else to do something for you.

Quick check
Which of the following sentences uses the causative correctly?

Where this matters in your exam

The causative form is important in IELTS Writing and Speaking to express complex ideas and actions. In Writing Task 2, you may need to describe the consequences of an action, and in Speaking Part 2, you may need to talk about past experiences.

  • Writing Task 2

    Use causatives to describe the actions that led to a problem in your essay

  • Speaking Part 2

    Use causatives in your speaking to describe past experiences, like getting a document translated