11.6 Causative

We can say, e.g.:

I must get someone to repair my watch. (He de hacer que alguien me arregle el reloj.)

I must have someone repair my watch. (He de hacer que alguien me arregle el reloj.)

We can eliminate someone and use a structure related to the passive. This is called the causative, e.g.:

I must have/get my watch repaired. (He de hacer que alguien me arregle el reloj.)

Where can I have/get my coat cleaned? (¿Donde puedo hacer que me limpien el abrigo?)

In these cases, the subject of the sentence causes someone else to do something. However, this structure, usually with have, is also used when an unwanted action happens to something belonging to the subject, e.g.:

While Mary was in the library, she had her purse stolen. (Mientras Mary estaba en la biblioteca, le robaron el monedero.)

Last week Mrs Smith had her car towed away three times. (La semana pasada se llevaron el coche de la señora Smith tres veces.)