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
  • I got a message from my teacher. (receive)
  • She got a new passport last month. (obtain)
  • We got some fruit at the market. (buy)
  • Let’s get the next bus. (take/catch)
  • Can you get me a pen, please? (bring/fetch)
GET + ADJECTIVE / V-ed= become / start to be
  • It’s getting cold outside.
  • I got nervous before the test.
  • They got married in spring. · I get dressed at 7.
  • Don’t worry—you’ll get used to the new class.
ARRIVEget to + place
  • What time did you get to the station?
  • I usually get to school before 9.
No to with home / here / there → “get home/here/there”.
  • ✗ get to home → ✔ get home
  • Text me when you get there.
UNDERSTAND“I get it”
  • I get it now. (= understand)
  • Sorry, I didn’t get the last word.
CAUSATIVEget + object + past participle
have/get something done = arrange for someone to do it.
  • I got my phone fixed yesterday.
  • She needs to get her jacket cleaned.
CAUSE / PERSUADEget + object + to-infinitive
  • I got my friend to join my English group.
  • I couldn’t get the computer to start.
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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Different uses of GET

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 ?

Different uses of GET

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.

Different uses of GET

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.