Different uses of "TO GET"
'To get' can be used in a number of patterns and has a number of meanings.
TO GET + direct object = obtain, receive, buy.
Examples
I got my passport last week.
TO GET + place expression = reach, arrive at a place.
Examples
How are you getting home tonight?
TO GET + adjective = become, show a change of state.
Examples
I am getting old.
TO GET + preposition/adverb is used in many phrasal verbs.
Examples
This rain is really getting me down.
TO GET has a number of other meanings:
Examples
- Do you get it? (= understand)
- He's getting dinner tonight. (= prepare a meal)
- I'll get the bill. (= pay)
- That really gets me! (= irritate, annoy)
Other expressions with GET:
Examples
- To get rid of something means to throw it away.
Example: I'm going to get rid of all these old newspapers.
- To get out of bed on the wrong side means to be in a bad mood.
Example: He got out of the wrong side of the bed this morning and he's been horrible all day.
- To get your own back means to have your revenge or punish someone.
Example: She's getting her own back for all those rude things you said at the party last night.
More Examples
TO GET + direct object = to obtain, to receive, to buy:
To obtain
Examples
- She got her driving license last week.
- They got permission to live in Switzerland.
To receive
Examples
- I got a letter from my friend in Nigeria.
- He gets $1,000 a year from his father.
To buy
Examples
- She got a new coat from Zappaloni in Rome.
- We got a new television for the sitting room.
TO GET + place expression = reach, arrive at a place:
Examples
- We got to London around 6 p.m.
- What time will we get there?
- When did you get back from New York?
TO GET + adjective = to become, show a change of state:
Examples
- It's getting hotter.
- By the time they reached the house they were getting hungry.
- I'm getting tired of all this nonsense.
- My mother's getting old and needs looking after.
- It gets dark very early in the winter.
- Don't touch the stove until is gets cool.
TO GET + preposition / adverb is used in many phrasal verbs. Here are some of the most common ones:
Examples
|
Phrasal Verb |
Meaning |
|
get at |
try to express |
|
get away with |
escape punishment for a crime or bad action |
|
get by |
manage (financially) |
|
get down |
descend; depress |
|
get off |
leave a form of transport |
|
get on |
enter/sit on a form of transport |
|
get out of |
avoid doing something, especially a duty |
|
get over |
recover (from an illness, a surprise) |
|
get through |
use or finish the supply of something |
|
get up |
leave your bed |
|
get up to |
do - usually something bad |
Examples
- He got on his bicycle and rode down the street.
- He gets up at 6.00 a.m. every morning.
- She got out of the washing-up every day, even when it was her turn.
- We got off the train just before the bomb exploded.
- We've got through all the sugar - can you buy some more?
- The children are very quiet - I wonder what they're getting up to.