The Magical Word "Get" Part 1
English speakers love the word “get.” It’s probably the most commonly used word in the English language, and I’ve been asked many times throughout my coaching career how to use “get” the right way. My English students are baffled by how different and contextualized the use of “get” is. Hopefully, with this blog post, I’ll solve some of these mysteries. There are way too many “get” uses to cover in one post, however, there is plenty of opportunity to observe “get” in the wild. Listen carefully to English speakers when you’re out and about. You’ll start to hear it everywhere! Soon you’ll learn to love the word and use it often.
To get started, let’s review ten examples revealing the most common uses of “get”:
As a synonym for “to understand.” Example: Ah, yeah now I get it!
As an informal expression of understanding or confirmation. Example: Gotcha! (I understand/sure/yes, I will do this)
To get to do something, to have the chance to do something. Example: I finally got to call my parents. It’s been difficult lately to find time to call them.
To get to a place. Example: How do I get to the White House from here?
Talking about public transportation such as to get on (enter) or off (exit) the bus. Example 1: I need to get on the bus now. I will get off at the train station.
Also, to catch the bus. Example 2: I have to run now so I can get my bus.As a synonym for to buy or receive. Example 1: I got a car last week. In this case, make sure you use “get” with a time expression (last week, yesterday, etc.) to make it clear that you are talking about buying or receiving a car because “I got a car” can also mean “I have a car.” Example 2: I need to get some coffee. Do you want to get some coffee with me? We could go to that nice new coffee place around the corner.
For expressing an emotion (to get angry, sad, etc.) Note: the process of developing a feeling. Example 1 (specific): I am getting angry. Stop talking like this! Example 2 (in general): I get angry when someone steals my parking spot.
To get plus past participle as in to get injured/to get hurt; something else caused something: Example: I got injured during the training session. (“was injured” works here too)
To get ready to do something, to prepare. Example: I need to get ready for the party.
Use with phrasal verbs. Example 1: Just get over it! (Don’t think about a bad thing anymore.) Example 2: Let’s just get this over with. (Let’s just finish this super annoying thing we don’t want to do as quickly as possible.) Example 3: Let’s get to work. Let’s start! (Careful: this can also mean “let’s go to work”)
As you can see, there are many different uses. So, what else can you get with “get”? You can...
Get married: We’re getting married next year – the wedding will be in August.
Get divorced: Brenda got divorced ten years ago, and she hasn’t seen her ex-husband since!
Get hungry: My sister gets really hungry after the gym.
Get tired: It’s late and I’m getting tired. Let’s go home.
Get dark: It’s getting dark. Let’s go home.
Get lost: Philip got lost in the NYC subway and had to ask for directions to Times Square.
GET + COMPARATIVE (PROCESS)
Get better: Larissa’s getting better at dancing. She practices every day.
Get worse: If your headache gets worse, you should see a doctor.
Get more expensive: It’s getting more and more expensive to buy an apartment in Rio de Janeiro.
Get safer: Buying things online has gotten safer with tools like PayPal.
Get more important: It’s getting more important to speak multiple languages in today’s globalized world.
Get deeper: Be careful – the water gets deeper quickly on that side of the pool.
GET EXPRESSIONS
Get in trouble - have problems: John will get into trouble with our boss over this horrible email.
Get drunk - when you had too much alcohol: He got drunk with his friends last weekend. Now he has a horrible headache. He is extremely hung over.
Get tired of someone - to be in the process of being fed up with someone: She got tired of her husband so she divorced him.
Get well soon: Feel better soon! (say that when someone is sick)
Get nowhere (with) - not achieving anything: You are getting nowhere with your new business. You should do something else.
GET = BUY / OBTAIN
Get a job: Tanya moved to Los Angeles because she got a job there.
Get an apartment: Question: “Have you found a place to live?” Answer: “Yeah, I just got a great apartment right in the city center!”
Get a computer: I got this computer just last month, and it’s already broken.
Get a jacket: That’s a really nice jacket! Where did you get it?
Get shoes: I got these shoes in Barcelona.
Get (something) for a good price: We got this TV for a good price during the spring sale.
Get (something) done - to finish something: I am glad that we got this done. Now we can go home for the weekend.
GET + A PLACE = ARRIVE
Get to the office: My boss always gets to the office by 7:30 AM.
Get home: I had to work overtime, so I didn’t get home until midnight.
Get to school: Sarah got to school late and missed her first class.
Get to the train station: When they got to the train station, they realized they’d left their tickets at home.
Get to the store: Hurry up! I want to get to the store before it closes.
Get there: I don’t know exactly where the post office is. Could you tell me how to get there?
GET = RECEIVE
Get an email: Did you get my email?
Get a present: I got lots of presents for my birthday this year.
Get grades: If you get good grades in high school, you can get into (get admitted to) a good college.
Get a certification: I got my scuba diving certification last year.
Get an award: Jane got an award for being the best salesperson in the company.
Get a shipment: We got a large shipment of books today – what should I do with them?
Can you believe those are just some of the uses of the word “get”? The word is truly magical. Stay tuned for part 2 where we’ll cover pairing it with phrasal verbs and even more useful expressions. In the meantime, here’s a list of “get” expressions used in questions. Review the questions and try to answer them or, even better, practice with a friend. Keep it up and you’ll totally get it! As always, feel free to send me an email if you have any questions.
GET CONVERSATION QUESTIONSHow often do you get a haircut?
What time do you usually get home?
Do you get a tan when you go to the beach?
Do you get jealous sometimes?
Have you ever gotten drunk?
Do you ever get sick?
Are you thinking about getting married?
What do you want to get better at?
What hobbies do you recommend if you get bored at home?
What do you like to drink when you get thirsty?
Do you ever get nervous when you have to speak in public?
Do you get dizzy when you are on a plane or boat?
Have you ever gotten lost?
Can I pick a song for our playlist? (answer tip: I got it!)
We got this, right? (answer tip: We can do this!)