You can form sentences that are passive in meaning but not in form by using the verb to get (1) or the verb to have in place of the verb to be. These constructions often describe situations where we want someone else to do something for us or where we are going to hire someone else to do something for us. The subject is active, but he is only doing the “getting”. It is the unnamed person who is gotten who will perform the action of the main verb in the sentence. That second person is not explicit in the sentence when the sentence has a passive meaning. We are more interested in the result of the activity than in the person that performs the activity.
Examples
- I must get my hair cut.
- I must have my hair cut.
- When are you going to get that window mended?
- We’re having the house painted.
This type of construction can refer to the completion of an activity, especially if a time expression is used.
Examples
- We’ll get the work done as soon as possible.
- I’ll get those letters typed before lunchtime.
- She said she’d have my lunch delivered by noon.
- You should have your roof repaired before next winter.
If the verb refers to something unwanted, it has the same meaning as a passive sentence.
Examples
- Jim had his car stolen last night.
- Jim’s car was stolen.
- They had their roof blown off in the storm.
- Their roof was blown off in the storm.
Using “to need” in passive constructions
You can also use the verb to need followed by the gerund in an active construction with a passive meaning. The important thing in our minds in these sentences is the person or thing that will experience the action, not the person performing the action.
Examples
- The ceiling needs painting.
- The ceiling needs to be painted.
- My hair needs cutting.
- My hair needs to be cut.
- That faucet needs fixing.
- That faucet needs to be fixed.
(1) The verb TO GET
TO GET can be used in a number of patterns and has a number of meanings.
TO GET + direct object = to obtain, to receive, to buy
- I got my passport last week. (to obtain)
- She got her driving license last week. (to obtain)
- They got permission to live in Switzerland. (to obtain)
- I got a letter from my friend in Nigeria. (to receive)
- He gets $1,000 a year from his father. (to receive)
- She got a new coat from Zappaloni in Rome. (to buy)
- We got a new television for the sitting room. (to buy)
TO GET + place expression = reach, arrive at a place
- How are you getting home tonight?
- We got to London around 6 p.m.
- What time will we get there?
- When did you get back from New York?
TO GET + adjective = become, show a change of state
- I am getting old.
- It’s getting hotter.
- By the time they reached the house they were getting hungry.
- I’m getting tired of all this nonsense.
- My mother’s getting old and needs looking after.
- It gets dark very early in the winter.
- Don’t touch the stove until is gets cool.
TO GET + preposition/adverb = phrasal verbs with various meanings
| TO GET + | Meaning | Example |
|---|---|---|
| to get at | try to express | I think I see what you’re getting at. I agree. |
| to get away with | escape punishment for a crime or bad action | I can’t believe you got away with cheating on that test! |
| to get by | manage (financially) | Sam doesn’t earn much, but we get by. |
| to get down | depress, descend | This rain is really getting me down. |
| to get off | leave a form of transport (train, bus, bicycle, plane) | We got off the train just before the bomb exploded. |
| to get on | 1. enter/sit on a form of transport (train, bus, bicycle, plane) 2. have a relationship with someone |
1. He got on his bicycle and rode down the street. 2. Amy and I really get on well. |
| to get on with | to proceed | I have so much homework, I’d better get on with it. |
| to get out of | avoid doing something, especially a duty | She got out of the washing-up every day, even when it was her turn. |
| to get over | recover (from an illness, a surprise) | Have you gotten over your cold yet? |
| to get through | use or finish the supply of something | We’ve got through all the sugar. Can you buy some more? |
| to get up | leave your bed | He gets up at 6.00 a.m. every morning. |
| to get up to | do – usually something bad | The children are very quiet. I wonder what they’re getting up to. |
Other expressions with GET
- Do you get it means do you understand.
Do you get what the teacher was explaining in class? - He’s getting dinner tonight means he’s preparing the meal.
You can relax. It’s my turn to get dinner tonight. - I’ll get the bill means I’ll pay.
Put your wallet away! I’ll get the bill. - That really gets me! means that irritates me.
It really gets me when my sister shows up late. - To get rid of something means to throw it away.
I’m going to get rid of all these old newspapers. - To get out of bed on the wrong side means to be in a bad mood.
He got out of the wrong side of the bed this morning and he’s been horrible all day. - To get your own back means to have your revenge or punish someone.
She’s getting her own back for all those rude things you said at the party last night.
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