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The verb “get” | Phrasal verbs with “get”

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“get” is a difficult verb for English students because it has lots of different uses and meanings.

We use “get”:

  • as a main verb with many different meanings
  • in several idioms (expressions) that are difficult to translate literally.
  • in several phrasal verbs

Form

Present simple form

I get
you get
he / she / it gets
we get
you get
they get

ing form

getting


past form

got

past participle

got (British English)
gotten (American English)

gotten is incorrect in British English. Do not say it or write it.

“get” as a main verb

1) to get something = to receive something

If I get an object, it means that I receive an object.

Example 1: I got a belt for my birthday.

belt

Example 2: It was Jane’s birthday and she got a bouquet of flowers.

2) to get something = to buy / obtain / fetch something

Another meaning of to get something is to buy something or to obtain something. To acquire something.

Example 1: She has gone to London to get some clothes.

Example 2: Mark is getting some fish at the market.

getting some fish

3) to get somebody something = to buy / obtain / fetch something for somebody

Here is the structure: to get + somebody + something

Example 1: They got Clare a hat for her birthday.

Example 2: Jane got Mark a watch for Christmas.

watch

4) to get somewhere / event = to arrive somewhere

Example 1: I’m in London. I got here yesterday.

London

Example 2: Martin got to the meeting at 3 o’clock.

5) to get a train / bus / flight / taxi = to take / catch (transport)

Example 1: I got the bus this morning.

Example 2: He is getting a taxi.

6) to get something = to understand something

Example 1: Sarah is trying to do her English homework but she doesn’t get the question.

Example 2: I’m not laughing because I don’t get the joke.

I don't get the joke
(Image courtesy of imagerymajestic | FreeDigitalPhotos.net)

7) get + adjective = to become (progressive change)

Example 1: When Jane arrived, she was warm but now she is getting cold.

getting cold

Example 2: Clare has been working for 10 hours without a rest. Now she is getting tired.

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“get” in phrasal verbs

1) to get on = to enter a train / bus / aeroplane / ship

Example : He is getting on the train.

2) to get in = to enter a car / taxi / small boat / building / room

Example 1: Mark is getting in the taxi.

Example 2: “Sarah, get in the house please!”

3) to get off = to leave a train / bus / aeroplane / ship

Example : She is getting off the train.

She is getting off the train

4) to get out of = to leave a car / taxi / small boat / building / room

Example 1: Mark is getting out of the taxi.

Example 2: Mark is getting out of the office.

5) to get up = to leave the bed and start the day.

Example: Jane gets up at 7 o’clock every day.

6) to get on well with somebody” = to have a good relationship with somebody

Example: Caroline and Sarah are friends. We can say: “Caroline gets on well with Sarah.”

7) to get somebody to do something = to persuade somebody to do something.

Mark got me to play football with him.

Video lesson about get:

Reader Interactions

Comments

  1. Thank u Andrew for this very very informative lesson on use of “get”. This is helping..!!!

  2. Congratulations for your website, Andrew! I liked it very much! I am from Brazil and I’m studying English by myself. Your lessons are very useful to me! Thanks!

  3. Thanks a lot Andrew ,for your english lessons ,specially about the information of using “get” in differnt situations .now i got it ,how to use it. Thanks again and congrates for your website!

  5. 1. I am going to get oranges at the supermarket.
    2. I got up this morning at 7 o’clock.
    3. I get on well with my friends.

  6. Before I read this article I did not ubstand the used of verb get but now it got clear.

  7. Before I read this article I did not understand the uses of verb get but now it got cleared.

    Sorry for typing mistake in the previous comment.

    Thanks a lot Andrew.

  8. (1).I am going to get a grocer at the supermarket
    ( 2 ) I did get up at 6 o’clock this morning
    ( 3 ) I do get well with Billy

  11. very interesting lesson about the verb “To get”.I didn’t know when to use to get on (Train) or to get in (a car),maybe it depends on what we are talking ,a big or small means of transport ..not sure..Thank teacher Andrew for helping us.

  12. Thank you a lot Andrew , really it’s good lesson and now I can use the verb get .
    Ok my reply for this exercise :
    1) I am going to get a fesh at the supermarket .
    2) I got up at 4 a.m
    3) I get on well with Asma .