Using Get
Get + noun/pronoun
- I have got an invitation to their party.
- I will buy a car if I get my rise.
Get can have two objects.
- Can you get me a coffee?
- Let me get you a drink.
Get + adjective
When get is followed by an adjective, it usually means become.
- Get ready to leave in five seconds.
- When I get nervous, I get angry.
The structure get + object + adjective is also possible. It usually describes situations where we want someone else to do something for us.
- Can you get the children ready for school?
Get + adverb particle/preposition
Before an adverb particle or a preposition, get almost always refers to a movement of some kind.
- I often get up at seven o’ clock.
With an object, the structure usually means make somebody or something move.
- Can you get the children to bed?
- I have got the doctor to call tomorrow.
Get + Past Participle
Get can be used with a past participle. This structure is often used to talk about things that we do to ourselves. Common expressions are get married, get divorced, get engaged, get lost, get dressed etc.
- They are getting married in May.
- I never get interviewed.
- Get dressed in five minutes.
The structure get + object + past participle often has a passive meaning. It usually means arrange for something to be done by somebody else.
- We are getting the house painted.
- I must get my hair cut.
- We must get the roof repaired before monsoon sets in.
This structure may also describe situations where something is done to us.
- I got my car stolen last night.
- They got their roof blown off in the storm.
With a time expression, this structure refers to the completion of an activity.
- You must get the job done before lunchtime.
- Get those orders placed as soon as possible.
Get + adjective
Get can be followed by an adjective. In this case, it means become.
- He doesn’t need a reason to get angry.
- As we get older, we get wiser.
- I am getting cold.
- Nobody wants to get old.
Get + object + adjective
The structure get + object + adjective means make something/somebody become.
- I must get the kids ready for school.
- We must get the house clean before the guests arrive.
Get + past participle
This structure is used to talk about the things we do to ourselves.
- They are getting married in May.
- She takes hours to get dressed.
Get + object + past participle
Sometimes we arrange for something to be done by somebody else. The structure get + object + past participle can be used to express this idea.
- He knows how to get things done.
- You must get that car repaired.
- She must get that tooth extracted.
- You must get him suspended.
This structure can also be used to talk about things (often unwanted) that happen to us.
- I got my bike stolen last week.
Get with infinitives and ing forms
- Let’s get going.
The structure get + object + -ing form means make somebody or something start doing something.
- Don’t get her talking about her problems.
Get can also be followed by an infinitive. This structure means manage or have an opportunity.
- When will I get to see you again? (= When will I get an opportunity to see you again?)
- I didn’t get to see him – he had left before I arrived. (= I didn’t manage to see him.)
The structure get to be means become.
- Cathy is getting to be a lovely girl. (= Cathy is becoming a lovely girl.)
The structure get + object + infinitive means make somebody/something do something.
- See if you can get her to sign that paper.
Get + noun / pronoun
Get can be followed by a noun or a pronoun. In this case, get means receive, fetch, earn, obtain catch or something similar.
- I got a call from James yesterday. (= I received a call from James yesterday.)
- I have got your letter.
- Will you get the kids from school? (= Will you fetch the kids from school?)
- He gets $300 a month. (= He earns $300 a month.)
- Can you come and get me from the airport?
- Whenever I listen to loud music, I get a headache.
- I am getting a toothache.
Get can be followed by two objects – a direct object and an indirect object.
- OK. I will get you a drink. (Indirect object – you; direct object – a drink)
Get can mean understand.
- Did you get me? (= Did you understand what I said?)
Get can also mean punish.
- The taxmen will get you in the end.
Notes
In American English, the past participle form of get is gotten, except in the structure have got.
