have work done

USAGE SUMMARY

"have work done" is a correct and commonly used phrase in written English.
It is used to express having someone else do a task or job for you. Example: "I have to have my car's oil changed this weekend." This means that the speaker plans to take their car to a mechanic or service center to have the oil changed by someone else.

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Wiki

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

20 human-written examples

"Well, old people and young have work done.

The Guardian - Arts

In a residential building, you'll have work done without a permit.

The New York Times

Possibly they would stay in this house and have work done to it.

The New Yorker

Up to £125m of government cash will be given away to householders who have work done.

The Guardian - Money

Mr. Vazquez said a friend had undergone the treatment before his wedding, and another friend mentioned that he, too, had been to Tiffani Kim to have work done.

The New York Times

Thank him for doing this, and sincerely assure him that you will always go to his garage for future maintenance (and that you will aggressively drop his name whenever anyone you know needs to have work done on a vehicle).

The New York Times - Magazine

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

40 human-written examples

So Beatress has had work done.

The New York Times

Has he had work done?

The Guardian - Lifestyle

"But, honestly, I have not had work done.

The New York Times

Have you had work done, or are you thinking of having work done?

The Guardian

The building has recently had work done on its windows, pipes, stairs, elevator, roof and facade.

The New York Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "have work done", ensure it's clear who is performing the work, either explicitly or through context. For example, "I need to have the car repaired" is clearer than just "I need to have work done."

Common error

Avoid using "have work done" without specifying what type of work needs to be done. Saying "I need to have work done" is too vague; instead, specify the task, such as "I need to have my taxes done" or "I need to have my website updated".

Linguistic Context

The phrase "have work done" functions as a causative construction, indicating that the subject causes or arranges for someone else to perform the work. Ludwig AI confirms its correct usage. Examples in Ludwig demonstrate its application in various contexts.

Expression frequency: Common

Frequent in

News & Media

50%

Wiki

25%

Science

12%

Less common in

Formal & Business

6%

Reference

4%

Encyclopedias

3%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "have work done" is a common and grammatically sound way to express arranging for someone else to perform a task. Ludwig AI confirms its appropriate usage across various contexts. While versatile, clarity is key: specify what kind of work is being done to avoid vagueness. Remember, variations like "have had work done" indicate completed tasks. With a neutral register, this phrase fits seamlessly into both casual conversations and professional settings. As seen in the Ludwig examples, authoritative sources like The New York Times and The Guardian frequently employ this construction.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

get the job done

Focuses on the completion of a task, emphasizing the result rather than the process.

complete the task

Emphasizes finishing a specific assignment or duty.

finish the work

Highlights the act of bringing work to a conclusion.

perform the work

Focuses on the execution or carrying out of a task.

execute the project

Highlights formal and structured method to accomplish goal.

undertake the assignment

Emphasizes beginning or committing to a specific task.

carry out the task

Focuses on performing and completing a specific action.

handle the work

Implies managing or dealing with a task effectively.

take care of the work

Focuses on attending to and resolving the task.

see the job through

Highlights the commitment to finishing a job from start to finish.

FAQs

How can I use "have work done" in a sentence?

Use "have work done" to indicate that you are arranging for someone else to perform a task for you. For instance, "I'm going to "have work done" on my house next month" means you've hired someone to do renovations.

What's a less formal way to say "have work done"?

Informally, you might say you're "getting something fixed" or "getting something done". For example, instead of "I need to have my computer repaired", you could say "I'm getting my computer fixed".

Is it correct to say "have had work done"?

Yes, "have had work done" is grammatically correct. It indicates that the work has already been completed. For example, "She "have had work done" on her kitchen and it looks great".

What does it mean when someone says they "have had work done" in reference to their appearance?

In the context of appearance, saying someone ""have had work done"" usually implies they have undergone cosmetic procedures or plastic surgery.