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Hans51 Posted 10 years ago
Grammar

"We had Tom and Jessica helping us out"

I am studying English with an education program and there is a conversation where native English speakers talk to each other and after it is done, a host always says "We had Tom and Jessica helping us out" and I still do not know exactly what it means?

Here , what is the meaning of 'have'?

If you do not mind, could you tell me where the meaning of have here is classified in the dictionary (or you can use other dictionaries)?

Thank you so much!

http://www.macmillandictionary.com/dictionary/british/have
  

Top answer

I don't much like that dictionary—its layout makes it too hard to extract particular meanings. Probably this one: 22. to invite or cause to be present as a companion or guest: We had Evelyn and Everett over for dinner.

— Mister Micawber

  • I don't much like that dictionary—its layout makes it too hard to extract particular meanings.
  • Probably this one: 22.
  • to invite or cause to be present as a companion or guest: We had Evelyn and Everett over for dinner.
  • He has his bodyguard with him at all times .
  • com/browse/have )
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5 Answers
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I don't much like that dictionary—its layout makes it too hard to extract particular meanings.

Probably this one:

22. to invite or cause to be present as a companion or guest: We had Evelyn and Everett over for dinner. He has his bodyguard with him at all times. (http://www.dictionary.com/br
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Thank you so much and I am sorry for asking too late again.

I totally agree with you but I still do not understand how to consider the -ing part.

"We had Tom and Jessica helping us out"

Does 'helping us out' modify 'Tom and Jessica' like a man studying English is Tom?

Or does it function as an object complement like I saw Tom studying En
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Hans51What do you think?
To me, it sounds most like this: I do not mind Tom (Tom's) studying English.

And I think that the possessive would work conceptually in the original sentence, too—We had Tom's helping us out—though we would not use that but 'We had Tom's help' instead.

Do note that there is a difference between '
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Hans51We had Tom and Jessica helping us out.
The following link may interest you. There is more than one interpretation of "have (someone) ---ing".

-ing

CJ
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CalifJimThe following link may interest you. There is more than one interpretation of "have (someone) ---ing".-ing
I can't believe I ever wrote such long posts!
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