had them done

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "had them done" is correct and usable in written English.
It is typically used to indicate that someone arranged for something to be completed or accomplished, often referring to tasks or services performed by others. Example: "I had them done last week, and I'm really pleased with the results."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Wiki

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

21 human-written examples

You've had them done?

The Guardian - Music

I might have starved if I'd had them done, so I had them enlarged instead".

Independent

They'd had them done on the same day, by the same doctor.

The New York Times

'Since I've had them done, I can do all sorts of impersonations,' he says, unprompted.

The Guardian - Music

By 1990, "I had the upper eyelids of an 80-year-old, so I had them done".

The New York Times

"You get more old photographs of fishermen than any other workers – they had them done to leave some record in case they drowned," she said.

The Guardian - Arts

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

39 human-written examples

He had them do extra juggling at home.

The New York Times - Sports

But it is what Balanchine had them do.

The New York Times - Arts

And then... .. Carol: Oh, no, I had them do both [observations and interpretations of the data].

International Journal of STEM Education

Fahey then had them do just that.

Huffington Post

Also, three vaccinations are needed, so I had them do it three times.

BMJ Open

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "had them done", ensure the context clearly indicates what "them" refers to, especially if it's not immediately obvious to the reader. For instance, "I had the photos done" is clearer than "I had them done" if the context doesn't establish that you are talking about photos.

Common error

Avoid using "had them done" if the referent for "them" is unclear or ambiguous. This can lead to confusion. If the subject isn't immediately apparent, specify it directly, for example, "I had the alterations done."

Linguistic Context

The phrase "had them done" functions as a causative construction, indicating that the subject caused something to be done by someone else. This construction highlights the subject's role in initiating or arranging the action, rather than performing it directly, as supported by Ludwig.

Expression frequency: Common

Frequent in

News & Media

54%

Wiki

23%

Science

9%

Less common in

Formal & Business

5%

Encyclopedias

0%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "had them done" is a common and grammatically correct causative construction used to indicate that someone arranged for a task or service to be completed by another party. As Ludwig AI confirms, its primary function is to convey that the subject initiated the action, not necessarily performed it themselves. The phrase is most frequently found in News & Media and Wiki contexts, suggesting a neutral formality level. When using "had them done", ensure the referent is clear to avoid ambiguity. For more formal or precise writing, consider alternatives such as "arranged for their completion" or "ensured their fulfillment".

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

got them finished

Uses "got" as a causative verb, making the phrase slightly less formal than "had them done".

took care of their execution

Indicates a responsibility was taken to ensure the task or service was completed.

arranged for their completion

Replaces the more conversational "had them done" with a more formal tone, focusing on the act of arranging completion.

saw to their accomplishment

Implies personal oversight to ensure the task or service was completed successfully.

ensured their fulfillment

Focuses on the guarantee or certainty that the task or service was completed.

organized for their performance

Highlights the planning and organization involved in getting the task or service done.

contracted out the work

Implies a business context where the task was outsourced to someone else.

facilitated their undertaking

Suggests the removal of obstacles to allow the task or service to be completed smoothly.

commissioned their execution

More formal and emphasizes the initiation of the task or service.

procured their implementation

Emphasizes the acquisition or securing of resources needed for the task or service.

FAQs

What does "had them done" mean?

The phrase "had them done" typically means that someone arranged for or paid for something to be completed or performed by someone else. It's often used in the context of services like getting alterations, repairs, or cosmetic procedures.

What are some alternatives to "had them done"?

Depending on the context, you can use alternatives like "got them finished", "arranged for their completion", or "took care of their execution".

Is it correct to say "had it done" instead of "had them done"?

Yes, "had it done" is correct when referring to a singular item or task. "Had them done" is used for plural items or multiple tasks.

When is it best to use "had them done" in writing?

Use "had them done" when you want to indicate that you organized for a task to be completed by someone else, especially when specifying who did the work isn't important. For example, "I had the curtains done" implies you hired someone to make the curtains, as opposed to making them yourself.