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English Grammar


Translation Time: have someone do something

Fugendichter
User since 2008
Posts: 588

14 May 2008

1.) "Horatio had the test monkeys drive him around the city"


Why in German: "H. lässt sich von den Testaffen in der Stadt herumfahren."


Why not, as I supposed: "Horatio ließ sich ...herumfahren."


2.) "She had her tickets booked by the agency."


Why: "Sie hat die Tickets vom Reisebüro buchen lassen"


why not: "Sie hatte die Tickets vom Reisebüro buchen lassen."?


3) First sentence " had drive" not "had driven"
Second sentence " had booked" not "had book"


Is it correct?

2 comments

  • User since 2006
    Posts: 2715

    15 May 2008

    1) As long as "lässt" is the present of "lassen" and "ließ" the preterit, I agree with you. "Horatio ließ sich herumfahren" corresponds to "Horatio had..."


    2) Same issue as in #1. Your second translation seems correct to me.


    3A) Horatio did not drive his monkeys through the city. There were the monkeys who drove Horatio. The subject of drive is "the test monkeys", the complement of drive is "him"(Horatio)
    Grammar form: to have someone make something = to manage as to get someone make something.


    3B) to book, booked, booked
    To have the tickets booked.
    Tickets is subject of the passive form of to book (past participle).
    Grammar form: to have something done = to manage as something be done.
  • User since 2008
    Posts: 588

    16 May 2008

    Okay Gee, I see, after your refined reflection, consideration, instruction I'm able to understand 3A and 3B.
    Thanks, it's better than the first morning coffee, and have a nice day!


    (C.w.)

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