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These adult film stars will have you doing a double take when you see them without any makeup on.

Source: http://www.lolwot.com/10-adult-film-celebs-without-makeup/

I would like to ask whether there is possible to rewrite this sentence without a change of the meaning in this way:

These adult film stars will make you do a double take when you see them without any makeup on.

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  • Yes. There is no change in meaning.
    – Jim Reynolds
    Commented Aug 26, 2016 at 14:46
  • And what about "These adult film stars will have you do a double take when you see them without any makeup on". Does ing form indicate the process of duration of the activity?
    – bart-leby
    Commented Aug 26, 2016 at 14:49
  • @bart-leby, I can't quite put my finger on it, but that's kinda creepy. maybe have you do sounds a bit too... biblical... for this context? google.com.eg/…
    – JavaLatte
    Commented Aug 26, 2016 at 14:56
  • Not in this context. A double take happens quickly. We'd probably need to use long to describe one of any real duration. Like maybe a photographer to a model. Let's do a sort of long double take. Some unusual situation.
    – Jim Reynolds
    Commented Aug 26, 2016 at 15:38
  • The phrase "do a double take" in your sentence "Let's do a sort of long double take" in the hypotetical situation with a model and a photographer is used in the literal meaning?
    – bart-leby
    Commented Aug 26, 2016 at 17:59

1 Answer 1

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The question, as asked, gets at the concept of "passive" vs. "active" influence. "Have you doing" describes the situation where the action encourages you (induces you) to do a double take. If we were to rewrite the sentence as "make you do", we are describing the situation as more forceful. Thus the meaning IS changed by the rewrite. The original is more pleasant to the reader. You'll be encouraged to do a double take. The changed sentence is more in the direction of "you WILL do a double take whether you wish to or not."

Note the comments to the original question state the change of wording does not change the meaning. The two versions ARE the same meaning on the literal level. But on the emotional level, I see them as different.

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    I agree with the explanation. Well done.
    – Lambie
    Commented May 2, 2021 at 16:14

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