Grammar Reference
The Passive Causative Have/get something done
We use have something done to say that we arrange for somebody else to do something for us. If you have something done, you don’t do it, somebody does it for you.
Sample: The roof of Jane’s house was damaged in a storm. Yesterday a workman came and repaired it. Jane had the roof repaired yesterday.
This means: Jane arranged for somebody else to repair the roof.
She didn’t repair it herself.
Compare:
Jane repaired the roof = (she repaired it herself)
Jane had the roof repaired = (she arranged for smb else to repair it)
Get something done
There is no difference in meaning between have and get.You can also say “get something done” instead of “have something done” (mainly in informal spoken English):
When are you going to get the roof repaired?=(have the roof repaired) I think you should get your hair cut really short.
In the Passive Voice, a phrase is used when the information is important.
We had the office painted last week. It looks great. (No “by” phrase)
We are having the office painted by Royal Painting Services.
They are the best.
Gerund or Infinitive
Some verbs are followed by either a gerund or an infinitive with no change in meaning. For example: love, hate, like, prefer, begin, start, continue.
Begin enjoying/to enjoy the simple things in life.
Some verbs change meaning, depending on whether they are followed by a gerund or an infinitive.
remember+infinitive=remember to do something
Remember to make time for the important people in your life.
I have to remember to send an e-mail to my friend.
remember+gerund=remember something that happened in the past.
I remember having more time for myself.
Do you remember going there when you were a kid?
forget+infinitive=forget to do something
Don’t forget to turn your cell phone off.
He always forgets to call on my birthday.
forget+gerund=forget something that happened in the past
I’ll never forget seeing the mountains for the first time.
Can you ever forget going to the beach?
Stop+infinitive=stop in order to do something
Stop to smell the roses.
Can you stop to pick up some chocolates for the party?
stop+gerund=stop an ongoing action
Stop over-scheduling and spend quality time with friends and family.
You need to stop worrying so much.