[Grammar] have sth done

[Silverobama]

Hi,

I am wondering if the "have each teacher sign" should be put as "have each teacher signed"?

This is the sentence quoted from <Twilight>:

She went through my classes for me, highlighting the best route to each on the map, and gave me a slip to have each teacher sign, which I was to bring back at the end of the day.

Thanks a lot

 

[2006]

Hi,

I am wondering if the "have each teacher sign" should be put as "have each teacher signed"?
No, it shouldn't. Why do you think that perhaps it should be "signed"?
This is the sentence quoted from <Twilight>:

She went through my classes for me, highlighting the best route to each on the map, and gave me a slip to have each teacher sign, which I was to bring back at the end of the day.

Thanks a lot

2006

 

[5jj]

I must have each teacher sign my book.

or:

I must have my slip signed by each teacher.

 

[Silverobama]

Why do you think that perhaps it should be "signed"?

Because I usually heard people say "I am gonna have my hair cut", and my teacher (A Chinese) told me "have something done" is a set phrase. May I have your opinion about this question? Why do you think it should remain unchanged?

Thanks a lot

 

[Silverobama]

I must have each teacher sign my book.

or:

I must have my slip signed by each teacher.

Thanks a lot for your recommendation, Five. But can you tell me why the original sentence was put as "have each teacher sign"?

 

[5jj]

But can you tell me why the original sentence was put as "have each teacher sign"?

The speaker can choose which contruction to use.

I have someone do something - Active sense = I cause (in some way) them to do it.
So: I have each teacher sign the slip. I ensure a situation in which each teacher signs (active) the slip.

I have something done by someone - Passive sense = I cause (in some way) something to be done.
So: I have the slip signed by each teacher. I ensure a situation in which the slip is signed (passive) by each teacher.

[As the infinitive form of the verb has the same appearance as the past participle with CUT, the active and passive constructions appear to be similar:
I have the barber cut (bare infinitive) my hair. - active sense
I have my hair cut (past participle) by the barber. - passive sense.]

Sorry if I caused any confusion earlier by using 'book' instead of 'slip' in one example.

 

[2006]

Because I usually heard people say "I am gonna have my hair cut", and my teacher (A Chinese) told me "have something done" is a set phrase. May I have your opinion about this question? Why do you think it should remain unchanged?

<FONT color=blue>1) fivejedjon
Something very strange happened here!

 

[BobK]

:up:

You could say 'have them signed, as Silverobama wanted to, if there were several slips of paper. But in this case I agree that 'have them sign' means 'get them to sign'.

b

 

[5jj]

:up:

You could say 'have them signed, as Silverobama wanted to, if there were several slips of paper. But in this case I agree that 'have them sign' means 'get them to sign'.

No, Silverobama wanted "have each teacher signed".
"Have them signed" would be acceptable only if 'them' referred to the slips, not to the teachers.

(Unless the speaker were inducing people to sign their names on the bodies of the teachers.;-))

 

[BobK]

No, Silverobama wanted "have each teacher signed".
"Have them signed" would be acceptable only if 'them' referred to the slips, not to the teachers.

(Unless the speaker were inducing people to sign their names on the bodies of the teachers.;-))

Exactly - I said the past participle would work only if the paperS (in my case) were the object of the signing. Sorry if anyone got the wrong end of the stick.

b

 

[Silverobama]

I have a new question about this sentence:


How long has it been since you've had a mechanic tune this engine?

Is this sentence correct? If so, should I put "tune" into "tuned"?


Thanks a lot

If the sentence sounds unnatural, please let me know.

 

[5jj]

How long has it been since you've had a mechanic tune this engine?

Is this sentence correct? Yes If so, should I put "tune" into "tuned"? NO

5

 

[Silverobama]

Can you tell me why? I am sorry for my slow-witted.

 

[2006]

How long has it been since you've had a mechanic tune this engine?

The answer lies in what the meaning of "had" is in the sentence.

Can you tell me why? I am sorry for being slow-witted. "slow-witted" is an adjective.

Try to find the reason you can't use "tuned".

 

[Silverobama]

I got it.

The reason why I asked this question in this thread because I'd realized before asking it. I guess mechanic here must be a person rather than a machine, but unluckily I thought mechanic was a machine and that's why I felt all at sea, I am very happy for your inspiration, 2006.

 

[2006]

I got it.

The reason why I asked this question in this thread because I'd realized before asking it. I guess mechanic here must be a person rather than a machine, but unluckily I thought mechanic was a machine and that's why I felt all at sea, I am very happy for your inspiration, 2006.

Yes, "mechanic" is a person.
But tell me what "had" means in the "had a mechanic tune" sentence.

 

[Silverobama]

It probably means "employ" or "look for", in my humble opinion.

 

[2006]

It probably means "employ" or "look for", in my humble opinion.

You are very close. But "had" is past tense, so it has to be expressed in the past tense.
"had a mechanic tune" means you (asked)(arranged for) a mechanic to tune this engine.
The verb (asked)(arranged) is past tense. "tune" is present tense.

 

[Silverobama]

Thanks a lot for your patience.