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I wonder if there is any difference between "1" and "2".1. Mother had me clean my room.2. Mother got me to clean my room.

CalifJim · Accepted Answer

Wowenglishany difference between "1" and "2".

Yes. Each has a different shade of meaning.

Mother had me clean my room.

To have someone do something is usually to arrange for them to do it. This is not exactly the most usual relationship when someone's mother is involved. I would take this one to mean that she told you that you should clean your room, and you did it fairly willingly. This expression is probably more used in the case where you hire someone to perform some service for you -- to have someone cut your hair; to have someone repair a fence; to have someone paint your house.

Mother got me to clean my room.

To get someone to do something is usually to persuade them to do it. It suggests some resistance to doing it which is overcome by coaxing or mild threats. Perhaps your mother said that she would give you an extra allowance if you cleaned your room. Perhaps she said she would take away some privilege if you did not clean your room.

CJ

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