Dave's ESL Cafe's Student Discussion Forums

[learner1]

Hello,

I have questions about the word 'have'.
A:
1.I had him fix the radio.
2.I had him fixing the radio.
Is there any difference in meaning bewteen the two? Or are they used in different situations?

B:
'I had the door fixed.'
Does the above sentence mean I fixed the door myself
or
I asked someone else to fix the door?

Thank you in advance.

[buddhaheart]

1. I had him fix the radio.
�Had� is the causative verb. �Fix� is the infinitive without the �to�. The infinitive signals the action has taken place.

2.I had him fixing the radio.
The -ing form implies the action is on going.

'I had the door fixed.'
This sentence means I caused the door to be fixed. It doesn�t necessarily mean �I fixed the door myself .�

[learner1]

Hello,
Thank you very much, buddhaheart.
I am a little confused about the sentence:
'I had the door fixed.'
Do you mean both are possible; they can both mean
1. I fixed the door myself
or
2. I asked someone else to fix the door?

Thank you

[Lorikeet]

[learner1]

Hello Lorikeet,
Thank you very much for your help.