Explanation
Exercises

GET — the many uses (quick guide)

Core patterns, natural examples, transport verbs, causatives and common pitfalls.
get + noun (receive/obtain/buy/take) get + adjective (= become) get to + place (= arrive) get + O + past participle (have/get STH done) get + O + to-infinitive (persuade/cause) transport & phrasal verbs
GET + NOUNreceive · obtain · buy · take/catch
  • We get lots of emails every day. (receive)
  • He got his driving licence last week. (obtain)
  • I got a new TV yesterday. (buy)
  • Let’s get the 7:30 train. (take/catch)
  • Can you get me a glass of water? (bring/fetch)
GET + ADJECTIVE / V-ed= become / start to be
  • It’s getting dark.
  • Why did you get angry?
  • They got married in June. · After breakfast I get dressed.
  • You’ll get used to the new schedule. (become accustomed)
ARRIVEget to + place
  • What time did you get to the hospital?
  • She gets to work at 8.
No to with home / here / there → “get home/here/there”.
  • ✗ get to home → ✔ get home
  • It was difficult to get here.
UNDERSTAND“I get it”
  • I get what you mean. (= understand)
  • Sorry, I didn’t get your joke.
CAUSATIVEget + object + past participle
have/get something done = arrange for someone to do it.
  • I got my hair cut yesterday.
  • We need to get the car fixed.
CAUSE / PERSUADEget + object + to-infinitive
  • I got him to help me with the boxes.
  • I couldn’t get the door to open.
TRANSPORT & MOVEMENTphrasal verb pairs
  • get on / off a bus, train, plane
  • get in / out of a car, taxi
  • get back (return)
  • get over (recover from)
  • get by (manage with little)
  • get through (finish; reach by phone)
  • get along/on (with) (have a good relationship)
  • get away (with) (escape / avoid punishment)
  • get across (communicate an idea)
Common mistakesquick fixes
  • ✗ get to home / get to here → ✔ get home / get here
  • ✗ get married with → ✔ get married to someone
  • ✗ get in the bus → ✔ get on the bus · get in the car

Recap: get is ultra-flexible: with a noun (receive/obtain/buy/take), with an adjective or participle (become/start to be), with to for arrival (but not with home/here/there), and in causative or persuading patterns. Mind the transport pairs: get on/off (bus/train) vs get in/out of (car).

Exercises:
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The different uses of the verb ‘get’

Choose the correct option to complete each sentence.
1
Did you get I sent you yesterday?
2
I always get before interviews.
3
He gets of $400 every month.
4
‘Where did you get ?’ ‘At a flea market.’
5
Can you get me , please?
6
Before winter, we need to get .
7
I finally got his mother.
8
I couldn’t get the dentist; the line was busy.
9
It took me months to get driving on the left.
10
On such a small salary, how do they get ?

The different uses of the verb ‘get’

Choose the correct option to complete each sentence.
1
If you get , take something from the fridge.
2
We got , and there was no one we could ask for directions.
3
He got and blocked me on Facebook.
4
Let's go back home. It's getting .
5
Let's rest for a minute. I'm getting .
6
I don't want to get . I like being single.
7
You can have some water if you get .
8
She's been very ill, but she's getting .
9
People who don't have a healthy diet get more easily.
10
He is getting but in his mind, he is still young.

The different uses of the verb ‘get’

Fill in the gaps with get, get to, got, or got to .
1
We usually around 7.
2
What time do you work on Fridays?
3
I always nervous before big meetings.
4
Did you my message yesterday?
5
In this job I meet people from all over the world.
6
I'll my laptop fixed tomorrow.
7
Can you him to reply today?
8
It took me months to waking up early.
9
It took her a while to the breakup.
10
We need to these old files.