A question we are often asked by trainee teachers on the CELTA course is how much metalanguage to use. Here's a guide to explaining the "have something done" structure to ESL students.
Understanding the Structure
The "have something done" structure is used to express that someone arranges for someone else to do something for them. It's also called the "causative have" structure. The pattern is: have + object + past participle.
For example: "I have my hair cut" means I arrange for a hairdresser to cut my hair, not that I cut it myself.
When to Use It
This structure is used when:
1. You arrange for someone else to do something for you (e.g., "I have my car serviced every year")
2. Something unpleasant happens to you (e.g., "I had my wallet stolen")
3. You experience something that happens to you (e.g., "She had her leg broken in the accident")
Teaching Approach: Minimal Metalanguage
When teaching this structure, avoid overusing grammatical terminology. Instead, focus on meaning and context. Start with real-world examples that students can relate to:
"I have my hair cut every month" - Show a picture of a hairdresser cutting hair
"We had our house painted last summer" - Show a picture of painters working
"They're having their wedding photos taken" - Show a picture of a photographer
Common Student Mistakes
Students often confuse this structure with the present perfect or passive voice. Common errors include:
❌ "I have cut my hair" (they did it themselves)
✅ "I have my hair cut" (someone else does it)
❌ "My hair is cut by me" (awkward passive)
✅ "I have my hair cut" (natural causative)
Practice Activities
1. Transformation exercises: Give students sentences and ask them to rewrite using "have something done":
"The mechanic fixes my car" → "I have my car fixed"
2. Picture prompts: Show pictures of services and ask students to create sentences
3. Personalization: Ask students to talk about things they have done regularly (haircuts, car services, etc.)
