Have
We use the construction have + something + past participle to indicate that someone else performs an action for us.
- We clean the house every Friday. (By ourselves)
- We have the house cleaned every Friday. (By someone)
- I am going to have my hair cut tomorrow.
- She is having her house redecorated.
- He had his wallet stolen.
In addition, the construction have + person + infinitive allows us to specify who performs an action for us.
- We are having the architect redesign the ground floor.
- Susanne had her brother prune all the trees.
Remember: In this construction, have functions as a main verb, not an auxiliary. Use do/did for negative and question sentences.
- We don’t usually have the house painted.
- Did you have your house painted?
Get
We use the construction get + something + past participle to indicate that someone else performs an action for us.
- I need to get my eyes tested.
- They got their home rebuilt after the earthquake.
In addition, the construction get + person + to + infinitive allows us to specify who performs an action for us, often because we have convined them to do so.
- I got a mechanic to take a look at the car.
- Tom’s boss got him to go to a conference in Germany.
References