8 things you didn’t know about GET (an essential verb!) | English Grammar
Hi everyone! Today’s blog is a simple list of 8 things you didn’t know about get. This grammar lesson will provide you with examples and explanations. Additionally, I’ve included a YouTube video lesson to further illustrate just how essential a good understanding of this verb is. Let’s get started!
#1 GET is an irregular verb:
get
got
got (UK) / gotten (US)
#2 BIG QUESTION
Which sentence is correct?
- I got an older sister.
- I’ve got (I have got) an older sister.
- I have an older sister.
ONLY the 2nd and 3rd sentences are correct.
We cannot use ‘I got’ to mean possession.
I got £1,ooo.
☑ I’ve got £1,000. more informal
☑ I have £1,000. more formal
#3 GET = to receive / #4 to buy
- I got a new pair of shoes for my birthday.
(I received a new pair of shoes for my birthday.) - I was so excited to tell my teacher that I got an 8 in the IELTS!
(I received an 8.) - I can’t believe it; my son got lice while he was on a school trip!
(My son received lice.) - I went to Primark and got four t-shirts for only £10!
(I bought four t-shirts.) - My husband got me a beautiful ring for our anniversary.
(My husband bought me a beautiful ring.)
#5 GET + location = to arrive
What time did you get home last night?
(What time did you arrive at your house?)
I’ll get there in about 30 minutes.
(I’ll arrive there in about 30 minutes.)
By the time I got to the party, everyone was already very drunk!
(By the time I arrived…)
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#6 GET + adjective/comparative = to become
It’s getting dark. We should go home
(It’s becoming dark.)
As I get older, I really start to appreciate the simple things in life.
(As I become older…)
I can’t believe it’s only September and it’s already getting colder!
(It’s already becoming colder.)
My dad got really angry after I told him about using his credit card.
(My dad became angry.)
#7 GET = to understand (informal)
A: Abbey, I need you to keep my pregnancy a secret okay.
B: Got it. (I understand.)
I don’t get the present perfect. I’ve studied it for years, but I still don’t get it.
(I don’t understand it.)
My boyfriend thinks he’s hilarious, but I never get his jokes.
(I never understand his jokes.)
#8 GET is used in phrasal verbs and expressions.
Another reason why ‘get’ can be a confusing verb, is because it is used as part of a phrasal verb or expression. In this case, the verb ‘get’ often doesn’t have a clear meaning. You need to memorise the complete phrase.
For example:
GET OVER (phrasal verb)
definition: to recover from an illness, injury or relationship
It took me three weeks to get over that virus. I couldn’t believe it.
You have got to get over Catherine! I mean, you guys broke up over six months ago! I think she already has a new boyfriend.
GET BY (phrasal verb)
definition: to manage to live, usually without very much
When I was a child, families used to get by on only one income. Now, both parents need to work.
(Families managed to survive on one income.)
It’s really difficult to get by on a waitress’s salary.
(It’s difficult to manage to live …)
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