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#2 (permalink) Thu May 08, 2008 15:39 pm "have somebody" vs "something doing something" |
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It can involve hiring, or sometimes obliging, someone to do something for you.
e.g.
I'm having him cut my lawn. I'm having my roof mended. She's has him running round in circles. |
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Molly I'm a Communicator ;-)
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Nessie I'm a Communicator ;-)
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#4 (permalink) Fri May 09, 2008 11:37 am Hi how are you |
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Hey, my name is Danny.
Hope I can be of help here. |
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Asdflknbbefcs New Member
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Molly I'm a Communicator ;-)
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Nessie I'm a Communicator ;-)
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#7 (permalink) Sat May 10, 2008 11:20 am "have somebody" vs "something doing something" |
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| Why? |
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Molly I'm a Communicator ;-)
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Lost_Soul I'm a Communicator ;-)

Joined: 15 Sep 2006 Posts: 1861 Location: South Park, Colorado, USA
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#9 (permalink) Sat May 10, 2008 14:51 pm "have somebody" vs "something doing something" |
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Hi Alex
| Quote: |
| I won't have anyone smoking in this office as long as I'm the boss here. |
The idea of 'not allow' is typical in this negative construction: 'will not have (someone/anyone) doing (something specific)'
You got the meaning of 'have someone doing something' exactly right. It basically means 'cause someone to be doing something at the moment'. In other words the 'doing' is in progress and is therefore incomplete.
Likewise, if you say "I had him cleaning the garage yesterday", it is unclear whether he finished cleaning the garage. The process of cleaning the garage is suggested rather than the idea that the task was completed.
If you say "I had him clean the garage yesterday", that suggests that he completed the task. . |
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Yankee I'm a Communicator ;-)

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Nessie I'm a Communicator ;-)
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#11 (permalink) Sat May 10, 2008 22:47 pm "have somebody" vs "something doing something" |
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| Quote: |
| Sorry, Molly, but I think you're barking up the wrong tree The question was not about "have someone do something" or "have something done", but rather "have someone doing something" |
What's the difference? If one knows how to use the -ing form, one shouldn't have too many problems jumping from "have something done" to "have someone do/doing something".
Can't you work these out?
I'm going to have Giorgio do my hair next time. Gino has made such a mess of it.
I know he's always booked up, but I tell you I'm going to have Giorgio doing my hair by the end of the year. |
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Molly I'm a Communicator ;-)
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#12 (permalink) Sat May 10, 2008 22:51 pm "have somebody" vs "something doing something" |
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| Quote: |
Yes, that's exactly what I wanted to ask. So now, to put it in a nutshell, the structure "have somebody doing something" has two usages: 1/ Allow somebody to do something and 2/ somebody is doing something for you- |
How about: "I'm going to have him mowing my lawn if it's the last thing I do" "He's not going to get away with it again."? |
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Molly I'm a Communicator ;-)
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#13 (permalink) Sat May 10, 2008 22:53 pm "have somebody" vs "something doing something" |
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In other words the 'doing' is in progress and is therefore incomplete.
Not always in progress at the time of speaking. (See the progressive when used for arranagements.)
"I'm going to have him mowing my lawn if it's the last thing I do" "He's not going to get away with it again." |
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Molly I'm a Communicator ;-)
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Nessie I'm a Communicator ;-)
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#15 (permalink) Sun May 11, 2008 18:51 pm "have somebody" vs "something doing something" |
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Right, Nessie.
In the sentence "They had him using their car yesterday" it sounds like they asked him to use their car (for whatever reason).
However, if you say "I won't have you using my car without my permission", that would be understood to mean "You are not allowed to use my car unless I give you permission." . |
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Yankee I'm a Communicator ;-)

Joined: 16 Apr 2006 Posts: 8265 Location: USA
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| Usage of should | Usage of 'out of my reach' |