In the boot example, someone replaces the heel for me. The service reading focuses on arranging the job, rather than doing it myself. The object stays between have and the participle.

The idea

Use have + object + past participle: have the documents translated. Change have for time and subject: has, had, are having. Simple questions use do/does/did: Where do you have them cleaned? The service provider need not be named.

Examples

  • I had the heel of my boot replaced.
  • We're having the kitchen tap repaired on Thursday.
  • Where do you have your winter coats cleaned?
  • Mina has her bicycle serviced every spring.
  • I need to have these documents translated.
  • We had our garden tools stolen from the shed.

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Watch out

Word order changes meaning: I had replaced the heel is past perfect and normally says I did the replacement. The same have + object + participle pattern can also describe an unwanted experience: having tools stolen does not mean ordering a theft.

Try it yourself

  1. Choose the correct option. I had the heel of my boot ___. (replaced / replace)

    Show answer or example answer

    replaced

    Replaced is the participle after the object the heel of my boot. The sentence describes arranging replacement, not replacing it oneself.

  2. Choose the correct option. Where ___ you have your winter coats cleaned? (do / are)

    Show answer or example answer

    do

    Use do for this present-simple question with causative have. Are would require having, not have.

  3. In the example about stolen tools, the theft was unwanted. Did we request it? no / yes

    Show answer or example answer

    no

    No. The theft is presented as an unwanted experience affecting us. The structure alone does not always describe a service we requested.

Use it today

Describe a service you arrange regularly and one appointment for next week. Keep the object before the participle. Add who will do the work only if known, then explain the difference from doing it yourself.