Lesson

Get

Uses of get

≈ 15 min 8 block(s)

Text

What does 'get' do?

Get is a very flexible verb used in many grammatical structures. It can mean obtain, become, arrive, understand, or act as a causative verb (to have something done). Understanding the common patterns with 'get' helps you choose the correct form and word order.

  • Obtain: get + noun → to receive or obtain something
  • Become: get + adjective → to change state (become)
  • Causative: get + object + past participle → have something done by someone else
  • Passive-like: get + past participle → used in informal passives
  • Arrive/reach: get to + place/time → arrive or reach a point

Table

Common structures with 'get'

Structure Meaning Example
get + noun obtain/receive I need to get approval from the manager.
get + adjective become (change of state) The team got nervous before the presentation.
get + past participle informal passive The package got lost in transit.
get + object + past participle causative: have something done She got her car serviced last week.
get to + place/time arrive/reach We got to the office at 8:30.
get used to + -ing become accustomed He is getting used to the new software.
phrasal verbs (get up, get on, get along) various idiomatic meanings Get on the train quickly.

Tip

Key rules for using 'get'

Choose the correct pattern depending on the meaning you want:

  • To express obtaining: get + noun → I got the documents.
  • To express change of state: get + adjective → They got excited.
  • For causative actions: get + object + past participle → We got the report translated.
  • For informal passive: get + past participle → The file got corrupted.
  • For arrival: get to + place/time → She got to the office at nine.

In American English, the past participle 'gotten' can appear (have gotten); in British English 'got' is more common.

Example

Examples in context

I need to get approval from the manager.

She got promoted last month.

We got the report printed before the meeting.

They got to the conference early to prepare.

Tip

Common mistakes with 'get'

Watch out for these frequent errors when using 'get':

  • Confusing get + adjective with get + past participle: 'got tired' (become) vs 'got tired' (correct) — but 'got broken' can be passive.
  • Using 'get' where a passive or 'have' is more appropriate in formal writing.
  • Wrong word order in causative phrases: correct = get + object + past participle (not get + past participle + object).
  • Mixing past participle forms: 'got' vs 'gotten' — know which form your variety of English prefers.
  • Omitting 'to' with arrival: say 'get to the office', not 'get the office' when meaning arrive.

These are universal grammar pitfalls — focus on structure and word order.

Quiz

Choose the correct sentence:

Hint: Think about past simple passive vs participle forms

Quiz

Complete: He _____ his laptop fixed yesterday.

Hint: Think about the causative structure: have/get something done

Quiz

Which sentence means 'become'?

Hint: Look for get + adjective to express change of state

Key Points

Vocabulary

get

verb CEFR B1 //ɡɛt//

to obtain, become, or receive; a very versatile verb used in many structures

We need to get approval before we proceed.

GrammarPoint

get + object + past participle

grammar_point CEFR B2 //ɡɛt ˈɒbdʒɛkt pæst pɑːtɪsɪpəl//

causative structure used to have someone do something for you (have/get something done)

She got her contract reviewed by the lawyer.

GrammarPoint

get + adjective

grammar_point CEFR B1 //ɡɛt ˈædʒɪktɪv//

used to express change of state (become)

After the update, my computer got slow.

Vocabulary

gotten

adjective/verb_form CEFR B2 //ˈˈɡɑːtən//

past participle of 'get' mainly used in American English (have gotten)

I have gotten many replies today.

Expression

get to

phrasal verb/preposition CEFR A2 //ɡɛt tuː//

to arrive at a place or reach a point in time

We got to the office early.

Expression

get used to

expression CEFR B1 //ɡɛt juːzd tuː//

to become accustomed to something

She is getting used to the new schedule.