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Have someone/ something do something (not the usual meaning)

English Language & Usage Asked on December 24, 2020

Have someone do something usually means asking a subordinate or a qualified worker etc to do something.
But I keep coming across this construction, only with what seems to be a different meaning. I’d love it if somebody could shed some light on it, or refer me to a source where I can find out more about it.

I notice, sometimes it involves an -ing verb, as opposed to a bare infinitive, but a common thread in all the cases is that the individual it refers to is an “experiencer”, on the receiving end of some sort of action (or reaction, as they might also be the cause of it too, as seen below in the rat example)

A few examples:

  • “Oh, I’m sorry- you stand here and have that damn thing pop out at you and you not jump! And it was a rat, not a mouse.”
  • “I’m not going to have anybody laugh at you, don’t worry.”
  • “You can make a movie out of it today, and have it be extremely popular”
  • “… may have you scratching your head as to what to do next”
  • ” This has had me wondering: How are…”

One Answer

The word "have" is a very permissive verb. I think you hit on the answer exactly. The sense of the word "have" in your examples refers to "having the experience of", whereas your original position means to "possess" something.

https://www.thefreedictionary.com/have

Answered by user22542 on December 24, 2020

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