causative verb

Question

1.I already have my bags packed for the trip tomorrow.
2. I already packed my bags for the trip tomorrow.

Q) There's difference between #1 and #2, isn't there?
Is the difference "I" am the only one who packed the bags?(#2)
And #1 implies someone else (or more than 2 people) entirely or partially packed "I's" bags?

Philip · Accepted Answer

I see no reason to believe that someone else packed your bags, although the possibility is there. I've already had my bags packed would be a different story.

CalifJim · Answer

moon7296There's difference between #1 and #2, isn't there?

Yes, but the difference isn't what you think it is.

#1 is a way of focusing on the packed bags as a certain state of affairs. The bags are packed. "I already have" (this situation) is a way of showing some sense of relief that a task is done. I would not even call this a case of "causative have".

#2 focuses on your action, your accomplishment. You did the task. This version is much simpler conceptually.
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Causative have:

I always have my bags packed for me every time I go on a trip. (always arrange for someone to pack them for me)

Non-causative have:

I have everything ready for my trip. (Everything is ready.) (Note: "ready" is not even a verb.)
Amanda has all her assignments done for tomorrow. (All her assignments are done.)

The following is ambiguous between causative and non-causative, but the likelihood of having someone come to one's house just to do dishes is so low that most people would say this is non-causative:

Steve had the dishes washed before his wife got home. (The dishes were washed, i.e., in a 'washed' state, because Steve washed them. Much less likely: Steve arranged for someone else to do the dishes.)

CJ

causative verb

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