I will have him do it.

Question

I will have him do it.I just came across the sentence above. Could anyone explain about the rule to use the verb "do" in bare form not others such as "doing", "to do", "done", "did".Thanks.

Philip · Accepted Answer

I don't know of a rule - just what is.
I will have/make/let him do it. But I will ask him to do it / get him to do it / cause him to do it / permit him to do it / allow him to do it
On the other hand: I will keep him from doing it / prevent him from doing it

CalifJim · Answer

SquareI will have him do it.

There is nothing special about the verb 'do' here.

I will have him write it. / I will have him say it. / I will have him take it. / I will have him send it.

It's the "causative have" pattern. have (somebody) (verb).

You may want to research "catenative verbs" to find out how different verbs connect with other verbs.

CJ

Philip · Answer

CalifJimThere is nothing special about the verb 'do' here.

I should have pointed that out. Thanks, again, CJ.

Grammarfreak · Answer

CalifJimYou may want to research "catenative verbs" to find out how different verbs connect with other verbs.

That's my thought as well, but somehow the word " catenative " escaped me. The "have someone [ to ] do ....." pattern is still in active voice, but the " have something done ......" pattern, like " have the car washed " which is causative with passive connotation.
I'll have someone take a look at the toilet leak tomorrow / I 'll have someone to take a look at the toilet leak....- Catenative
I'll have the toilet leak looked at/ repaired tomorrow - Causative

Square · Answer

Thanks a lot.

I like the term. I help me a lot in searching guidelines.

I will have him do it.

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