Have it Made, Get it Done

The usage of have something done lies somewhere between the active voice and the passive voice. In this structure, the object receives the action but the subject doesn’t do the action. Instead, the action is done by some unknown person. Look at the different sentences below:

1) We painted the house.

2) The house was painted (by us).

3) We had the house painted.

1) In the active voice, the subject does the action.

2) In the passive voice, the subject receives the action, but we might or might not know who did the action or we don’t care. (The house was painted bu us or by someone else.)

3) In the structure have something done, the subject didn’t do or receive the action. The object receives the action, which is done by an unknown third party. (We don’t know who painted the house.)

In this last case, we simply use have + object + past participle. For example:

She has her blood pressure taken every week.

I had my hair cut yesterday.

We will have our car repaired tomorrow.

You can substitute have for get.

She gets her blood pressure taken every week.

I got my hair cut yesterday.

We will get our car repaired tomorrow.

Sometimes, get can imply that the action was unintentional.

I got my shirt caught on a nail[1]. (it was an accident)

They got their car towed away[2]. (they weren’t careful where they parked)

You’ll get your face slapped[3]. (if you don’t shut up)

So has it been made clear how we get things done?!

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[1] clavo, [2] llevado a remolque, [3] bofetada