had them fixed

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "had them fixed" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used when referring to having something repaired or corrected by someone else in the past. Example: "I had them fixed last week, and now they work perfectly."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Wiki

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

5 human-written examples

He had them fixed.

The New York Times

I bought it on the spot, and then promptly found three more and had them fixed.

The New York Times

But he had them fixed, or "stabilized," as he put it, and he could do the same for me.

The New York Times - Science

I don't think anybody at The Times would say, She's shallow because she had puffy upper eyelids and had them fixed.

The New York Times - Books

His hair is curly and stylish; his teeth are Hollywood-straight (he has had them fixed); he is wearing a designer jacket and a pair of snug jeans, and he has -- could it be?

The New York Times

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

55 human-written examples

"Anything that didn't work — if the thin little wires had snapped and you'd have no action — I'd have them fixed," Mr. Rosen said.

The New York Times - Arts

And those who have broken teeth are having them fixed sooner than in the past and with better techniques and materials.

The New York Times - Sports

That center can recognize small data-handling errors that could lead to larger problems, and have them fixed before the device breaks down.

The New York Times

The problem can be fixed with the application of an adhesive to the louver, an air grille panel on the car, and owners of affected cars can have them fixed at local dealers, GM said.

Independent

The goal of the new rule is to help consumers more broadly understand how their credit reports are used, and encourage them to identify any errors and request to have them fixed, Ms. Foster said.

The New York Times

Just like the china bowl of pennies greasy with the clove oil he used to treat his teeth because he was too afraid of the dentist to have them fixed wasn't him.

The Guardian - Lifestyle

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "had them fixed" to indicate that you arranged for someone else to repair or correct something for you in the past. It implies a completed action.

Common error

Avoid using "had them fixed" when you performed the repairs yourself. Use phrases like "I fixed them" or "I repaired them" to indicate you were the one who did the work.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "had them fixed" functions as a causative construction, indicating that the subject caused something to be repaired by someone else. As Ludwig AI shows, it's commonly used to describe arranging for a service.

Expression frequency: Common

Frequent in

News & Media

60%

Wiki

20%

Science

20%

Less common in

Formal & Business

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "had them fixed" serves as a causative construction to express the act of arranging for the repair of something by someone else. Grammatically correct and commonly used, it appears across various contexts, particularly in news and media. Ludwig AI affirms its widespread use and acceptability. When writing, ensure you use this phrase to mean that you outsourced the fixing and prevent confusion with active repair. Alternatives such as "got them repaired" can provide subtle variations in tone and emphasis. Therefore, you can be sure to include this phrase in your written works.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

had them mended

Simple and direct replacement of "fixed" with "mended".

got them repaired

Common alternative using "got" for a more casual tone.

arranged for their repair

Formal alternative emphasizing the arrangement process.

paid to get them mended

Highlights the financial aspect of getting them repaired.

organized for them to be repaired

Emphasizes organization and planning.

contracted someone to fix them

Emphasizes the act of hiring someone for the repair.

ensured they were repaired

Emphasizes ensuring the completion of the repair.

took care of having them fixed

Highlights responsibility and initiative.

sorted out their repair

More British English alternative.

made arrangements to repair them

Focuses on the preparations made for the repair.

FAQs

How can I rephrase "had them fixed" to sound more formal?

For a more formal tone, consider using phrases such as "arranged for their repair" or "ensured they were repaired".

What's a more casual way to say "had them fixed"?

A more casual alternative to "had them fixed" is "got them repaired", which uses the more informal verb "got".

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

Yes, "had it fixed" is correct if you are referring to a single item. "Had them fixed" is used for multiple items.

When should I use "had them repaired" instead of "had them fixed"?

The phrases are largely interchangeable. "Fixed" is more general, while "repaired" might be preferred when specifically referring to mending something broken. Semantically speaking there are no differences.