SparkAI logoSparkAI
Start learning free

English grammar lessons › Level B2 › Verbs

I'm having my car repaired: having something done

have / get something done when someone else does a job for you, and for unpleasant things that happen to you

What you'll be able to do

Talk about services and arrangements (repairs, deliveries, appointments) and about things that happened to you.

The pattern

have / get + object + past participle: someone else does it, usually because you arranged it. Get is a little more informal; both are correct.

  • I'm having my car repaired this week.a mechanic is repairing it
  • We had the kitchen painted last year.we paid someone to paint it
  • You should get your eyes tested.advice: go and have it done
  • She had her phone stolen on the bus.something unpleasant happened to her

Word order

The object comes before the participle: have the car repaired, never have repaired the car (that means you repaired it yourself).

Common mistakes

  • I repaired my car at the garage. If a mechanic did it: I had my car repaired.
  • I had repaired my car. The object goes before the participle: I had my car repaired.
  • I'm having my car repair. Use the participle: repaired.

Practice

  1. We don't do it ourselves: we _____ every spring.
    Options: have the windows cleaned · clean the windows · have cleaned the windows
    Show the answer

    have the windows cleaned — Someone else does it: have + object + past participle.

  2. My laptop is broken, so I'm getting _____ at the shop.
    Options: it fixed · fixed it · it fix
    Show the answer

    it fixed — Get + object + past participle.

  3. She _____ her bag stolen while she was on holiday.
    Options: had · made · did
    Show the answer

    had — Something unpleasant that happened to her: had + object + participle.

  4. Which sentence means a professional cut it?
    Options: I had my hair cut on Saturday. · I had cut my hair on Saturday. · I have to cut my hair on Saturday.
    Show the answer

    I had my hair cut on Saturday. — Object before participle: have my hair cut.

  5. You should get your teeth _____ (check) twice a year.
    Show the answer

    checked — Get + object + past participle.

In the app, this lesson is taught one idea at a time with the examples read aloud, then practised with questions you answer by choosing or typing. It comes back for review on later days, until you can use it without help.
Learn this in the app, freeAll English lessons

More on this topic: The passive in English