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Fandorin Posted 18 years ago
Grammar

have happen

"Focus on what you want to have happen."
What kind of that? I cannot understand it completely.
Thanks in advance.
  

Top answer

" What kind of that? I cannot understand it completely. No one can, it's incorrect.

  • " What kind of that?
  • I cannot understand it completely.
  • No one can, it's incorrect.
  • It should be Focus on what you want to happen.
  • CB
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12 Answers
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Fandorin"Focus on what you want to have happen."
What kind of that? I cannot understand it completely.

No one can, it's incorrect. It should be Focus on what you want to happen.
CB
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I read it in the article. Emotion: smile It also seems strange to me. Thank you, Cool Breeze.
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FandorinWhat kind of that?
I don't understand this incomplete question, but I guess you want an explanation of the use of have.
It's "causative have". The idea is that you can control what happens. You manage your activities so that a particular event will happen or so that a particular goal will be accomplished. You focus (concentrate yo
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CalifJim
I want to have the children sing the national anthem. This is what I want to have happen.
I want to have Mary help me to do my homework. This is what I want to have happen.
I want to have George
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This is what I want to have happen. I want to have what happen? What do I want to have happen? I want to have it happen. I want to have this happen. This is what I want to have happen.

Following your lead,
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CalifJim
FandorinWhat kind of that?
I don't understand this incomplete question, but I guess you want an explanation of the use of have. Yes, It's exactly the point I'm interested in, sorry for non-complete question.
It's "causative have". The idea is that you can control what ha
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Is there essential difference between "Focus on what you want to have happen" and "Focus on what you want to happen" ? There's a difference, but not a very strong difference.

If yes, is it an expression of strong desire? In a way, yes, I suppose, because the idea of controlling your actions in an effort to reach your goal is involved.

What you want to happen
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I'm much obliged to you, CalifJim. Thank you. Emotion: smile
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CalifJimThis is what I want to have happen. I want to have what happen? What do I want to have happen? I want to have it happen. I want to have this happen. This is
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It's not a commonly used pattern, but I don't see why it should be considered ungrammatical. It seems to me that you can't have the object between have and the verb (and this pattern doesn't use a past participle) if it is represented by the fronted question word.

Who do want to have drive us to the hospital? Bill or George?

Which bell do you want to have ring to signal

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