The many uses of get — forms & meanings
B1–B2 • quick reference
get–got–got (BrE) / gotten (AmE)
Overview
Get is a highly flexible verb. Main patterns: get + object (receive/obtain/buy/bring/catch), get to + place (arrive), get + adjective / -ed adjective (become), get + V3 (passive), get + object + V3 (have something done), and get + person + to + verb (persuade/make someone do).
get + direct object — obtain / receive / buy / bring / take-catch
| Meaning | Pattern | Examples |
|---|---|---|
| obtain | get + noun | He got his driver’s licence last week. She finally got the promotion she wanted. |
| receive | get + noun + from | I got a note from John yesterday. She gets loads of messages from fans. |
| buy | get + thing | We should get a new laptop — the old one has died. Can you get some milk on your way home? |
| bring / fetch | get + person + thing | Could you get me two glasses from the kitchen? Can I get you a drink? |
| take / catch (transport) | get + bus/train/flight | Do you think we’ll get the 7:40 train? I need to get the first flight to Seattle. |
With “home” we use get home (no to).
get to + place — arrive / reach
- He always gets home very late.
- We got to London on the eight-o’clock train.
- How long does it take you to get to work?
Also common: get here/there/back.
get + adjective / past participle — become
- I’m getting old. / It’s getting dark.
- He gets angry very easily.
- It’s very late; I’m getting worried.
- We got married last year. / He gets tired after every concert.
Get + -ed adjective often describes a new state: get dressed, get married, get bored.
get + V3 — passive meaning (often informal or unexpected results)
- I got caught by the police after driving through a red light.
- She almost got killed by a drunk driver.
- His articles are always getting criticised by the press.
“Get-passives” are frequent in conversation and with negative/accidental ideas. In neutral/formal style, be + V3 is more typical.
Causative uses
get + object + V3 — have something done
- We’re getting the house painted next week.
- You should get your tyres changed.
Near-synonym: have something done (slightly more formal).
get + person + to + verb — persuade / make
- How can parents get their children to read more?
- I can’t get my partner to do more around the house.
Notes & pitfalls
- Forms BrE: get–got–got; AmE: get–got–gotten (gotten mainly for participle: has gotten).
- Meaning split get tired (=become) vs get your phone fixed (=cause someone to fix it).
- Transport get the bus/train/flight ≈ take/catch.
Exercises:
The many uses of “get”
Match the two halves of the following sentences.
1
Without a proper jacket, you'll
.
2
Most new hires
.
3
When I finally called the helpline, I managed to
.
4
If we all focus, we can
.
5
I'll call Facilities and
.
6
She didn't win, but she managed to
.
7
There's a camera on that street; you won't
.
8
Please
.
9
I'm not sure now, but I'll
.
10
If you stay for the Q&A, you might
.
The many uses of “get”
Choose the correct option for each gap below so that the verb ‘get’ has the suggested meaning.
1
It ____ chilly after sunset. meaning: become
A.
B.
C.
2
After three emails, I finally ____ a reply from support. meaning: receive
A.
B.
C.
3
What time did you ____ home last night? meaning: arrive
A.
B.
C.
4
Sorry, I don’t ____ what you mean. meaning: understand
A.
B.
C.
5
She ____ him to update the report. meaning: persuade
A.
B.
C.
6
Could you ____ me a glass of water while I set the table? meaning: fetch
A.
B.
C.
7
It took them months to ____ the breakup. meaning: recover from
A.
B.
C.
8
With such high rent, how do you ____? meaning: manage financially
A.
B.
C.
9
I kept calling but couldn’t ____ to the manager. meaning: reach by phone
A.
B.
C.
10
He’s finally ____ waking up at 5 a.m. these days. meaning: become accustomed
A.
B.
C.
The many uses of “get”
Fill in each gap with one of the expressions in the box below.
get used toget rid ofget overget by
get along withget acrossget around toget away with
get back toget through to
get intoget aheadget on withget better
1
After months of practice, she finally managed to speaking in public.
2
We need to these old cables before the inspection.
3
It took him weeks to the jet lag after the trip.
4
When money was tight at college, I could on part-time wages.
5
Do you your new teammates, or is there tension?
6
The speaker tried to her main point, but the line kept cutting.
7
I keep meaning to tidying the garage, but there is never time.
8
He cheated in the exam and managed to it.
9
Let me finish this call and I will you in ten minutes.
10
After several attempts, we finally managed to the customer-service representative.