“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
Present simple form
he / she / it gets
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.
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.
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.
4) to get somewhere / event = to arrive somewhere
Example 1: I’m in London. I got here yesterday.
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.
7) get + adjective = to become (progressive change)
Example 1: When Jane arrived, she was warm but now she is getting cold.
Example 2: Clare has been working for 10 hours without a rest. Now she is getting tired.
“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.
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.