have someone do something

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "have someone do something" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used when you want to indicate that you are asking or arranging for another person to perform a specific action or task. Example: "I will have my assistant do the research for the project."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Academia

Wiki

Formal & Business

Science

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

60 human-written examples

"Because, man, you start getting nice bread, you ought to have someone doing something dope with it".

The New Yorker

"Anytime you have someone doing something in secrecy, they know they're overdoing it".

Huffington Post

I think it was an important advance in the field of brain-computer interfaces that we had helped someone do something they had wished to do for many years".

BBC

Have you ever witnessed someone doing something wrong whether a bully picking on someone weaker or someone committing a crime?

The New York Times

"Why do people have to emphasize drugs because someone does something really fast?

The New York Times - Sports

Just how many agencies does Jamie Dimon have to blow off before someone does something?

Huffington Post

However, "Errands" was something that users had to "work to use," in that customers would have to get "creative to think up ways to save their own time by having someone else do something for them".

TechCrunch

Here, the value isn't necessarily the price of the item, it's also the convenience of having someone else do something boring for you.

Science Magazine

Someone would have to do something with it.

Cornell University

"Someone has to do something.

The New York Times

Someone had to do something".

The New York Times - Arts

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "have someone do something", ensure clarity regarding who is responsible for the task and what the expected outcome is. This helps avoid miscommunication and ensures the task is completed as intended.

Common error

Ensure that the context clearly indicates who is "someone". Vague references can lead to confusion. Instead of saying "I'll have someone fix it", specify "I'll have the plumber fix it".

Linguistic Context

The phrase "have someone do something" functions as a causative construction, indicating that the subject causes another person to perform an action. Ludwig confirms its correct usage, supported by numerous examples across various contexts.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

40%

Academia

20%

Wiki

15%

Less common in

Formal & Business

15%

Science

10%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "have someone do something" is a common and grammatically sound phrase used to indicate arranging for someone else to perform a task. As noted by Ludwig, it's used across various contexts, from news and media to academic writing. While generally neutral in tone, clarity is key to avoid ambiguity. Alternatives like "get someone to do something" or "ask someone to do something" offer similar meanings with subtle differences. Understanding these nuances allows for more precise and effective communication.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

get someone to do something

Emphasizes the act of persuading or arranging for someone to complete a task.

ask someone to do something

Focuses on the request aspect of getting someone to perform an action.

arrange for someone to do something

Highlights the planning and organization involved in getting a task done by another person.

delegate a task to someone

Implies a formal assignment of responsibility.

assign someone to do something

Focuses on the act of formally allocating a task.

task someone with doing something

Emphasizes giving someone responsibility for a specific job.

employ someone to do something

Suggests hiring or utilizing someone's services for a task.

contract someone to do something

Indicates a formal agreement for services.

outsource something to someone

Specifies sending work to an external provider.

commission someone to do something

Implies formally requesting and paying for a service or work.

FAQs

How can I use "have someone do something" in a sentence?

The phrase "have someone do something" is used to indicate that you are arranging for another person to perform an action. For example, you could say "I will "have someone do something" about this issue" or "I'll "have someone do something" to fix it".

What are some alternatives to "have someone do something"?

Alternatives to "have someone do something" include phrases like "get someone to do something", "ask someone to do something", or "arrange for someone to do something". The best choice depends on the specific context and nuance you want to convey.

Is it more formal to say "assign someone to do something" or "have someone do something"?

The phrase "assign someone to do something" generally carries a more formal tone compared to "have someone do something". The former implies a clear delegation of responsibility, often in a professional setting.

What's the difference between "have someone do something" and "make someone do something"?

"Have someone do something" implies a request or arrangement, whereas "make someone do something" suggests coercion or force. For instance, "I had him clean the room" suggests I asked him, but "I made him clean the room" implies I forced him.