Have/Get + Something + Present perfect

Question

Please tell me if my understanding is correct.

1. I had my hair cut. (= Somebody cut my hair. Usually, I asked for it, otherwise, I should say, "I had my hair cut against my will.")

2. I got my hair cut. (Less formal. It may also mean I cut my hair by myself.)

3. I got my arm broken. (Natural. My arm was broken accidentally. It does not mean somebody broke my arm.)

4. I had my arm broken. (Unnatural)

5. I had my car stolen. (Natural)

6. I got my car stolen. (Unnatural)

GPY · Accepted Answer

Snappy1. I had my hair cut. (= Somebody cut my hair. Usually, I asked for it, otherwise, I should say, "I had my hair cut against my will.")

Yes.

Snappy2. I got my hair cut. (Less formal. It may also mean I cut my hair by myself.)

Informal, yes, but it cannot mean that you cut your hair by yourself. For that you can say "I cut my hair myself" or "I cut my (own) hair".

Snappy3. I got my arm broken. (Natural. My arm was broken accidentally. It does not mean somebody broke my arm.)

Typically for an accident we would say "I broke my arm". "I got my arm broken" feels somewhat unusual to me, and may sound as if someone deliberately broke it, though it entirely depends on context. It could also mean that you requested this, but of course that would be a highly unusual situation.

Snappy4. I had my arm broken. (Unnatural)

Not common, but possible if someone deliberately broke it, or, very unusually, if you requested this.

Snappy5. I had my car stolen. (Natural)

Yes.

Snappy6. I got my car stolen. (Unnatural)

Informal/casual. To me it feels a bit substandard, but no doubt you will find examples of use.

Have/Get + Something + Present perfect

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