GET - USAGE

get

Idiomatic usage and other expressions

As a main verb

In phrasal verbs

In the causative form

In the reflexive form

'Get' for possession (present perfect)

In the passive form

In the causative form

practice

Explained

GET with passives

GET + PAST PARTICIPLE

Get is often used instead of be in the passive voice in informal spoken English to refer to an action that happens by accident or unexpectedly: Their car got stolen in front of their house last night. Jerry got fired because he was always late for work. Get passives are 'normally used in constructions without an agent : Two hackers were caught by the police. Two hackers got caught. We use "get" in a passive sentence when we talk about something that happened or something that changed, so it is NOT used for verbs such as 'like', 'believe' or 'say'. That tree was/got blown over in the storm last night. This criminal is known to police in five different countries. (gets known isn't possible here.)

As a main verb

Examples

get =

get =

get =

get =

=arrive

= receive

=understand

= ...

He got home too late.

Do you get my explanation?

I got an I-Phone for my B-Day.

In phrasal verb form

Examples

get down to

get back

get out

get by

Let's get down to business!

When did your neighbours get back from their holiday?

The meeting went on late, so I got out as soon as I could.

How can he get by on such low wages?

Quiz

'GET' as a main verb

Decide how 'get' is meant in the following sentences.

Start

1. I got three As last semester.

score

arrive

become

2. Lou has gotten serious about his studies.

arrive

become

cause

3. They got their father to buy them a new laptop.

cause

bring

acquire

4. We got three more records for our new database.

cause

experience

receive

5. Be careful or you’ll get the flu.

experience

arrive

contract

6. Could you get me the paper?

receive

fetch

cause

7. I got spooked by all the talk of revolution.

experience

arrive

fetch

8. I got some excellent advice on the new job.

cause

receive

arrive

9. She promised to get him someday for all his bad behavior.

fetch

payback

acquire

Congratulations!