The Verb To Get

The verb “to get” is one of the most widely used verbs in the English language. It is used in many
different ways and with different meanings. It is sometimes avoided in formal style, but is correct
and natural in most kinds of speech and writing. To understand the meaning of the verb “to get”
we have provided you with examples in different context.

Conjugation of the verb ” To Get”

Affirmative form

Negative form

Question form

I get
I don’t get
Do I get………?
You get
You don’t get
Do you get……?
He gets
He doesn’t get
Does he get……?
She gets
She doesn’t get
Does she get…..?
It gets
It doesn’t get
Does it get…….?
We get
We don’t get
Do we get………?
They get
They don’t get
Do they get…….?

1. Get = obtain, acquire (to come into possession of something)

  • She got a lot of paintings from his uncle when he passed away. 
  • They got a new pet. 
  • Get
     your loan approved in twenty-four hours 
  • I got an A+ on my midterm exam. 

2. Get = receive (receive a package, check, letter, postcard, etc)

  • I got some clothes for Christmas. What about you? 
  • His new movie got a very good review. 
  • I got two books for winning the reading competition.
  • We got a letter from our friend who lives in Paris. 

3. Get to = arrive (reach a destination)

  • She always gets to work late. She is going to lose her job soon. 
  • I got home pretty late last night.  (Remember that the noun “home” does not admit the preposition “to” before it)
  • We didn’t get to Chicago until after midnight. 
  • We just got here! 
  • Excuse me! How do I get to the airport from here? 

4. Get = bring, fetch

  • Get
     me those books on the table, please. 
  • Could you get me the wine? 
  • If you are going to the kitchen, can you get me a glass of water? 
  • Come on boy! Go get the stick!  (A master playing with his dog)

5. Get = to experience or undergo (mental or physical states)

  • I got an idea! 
  • She gets vertigo when she looks out the window 
  • The get nauseous when they drive. 

6. Get = make, score

  • The Brazilian team got 4 goals in the match. 
  • She was nominated the player of the game. She got 29 points in the game. 
  • We got 12 more points. We won! 

7. Get = understand

  • I didn’t get the joke. 
  • We couldn’t get a word of what he said. He speaks too fast! 
  • I got it! You do not need to repeat that again.

8. Get = catch

  • You can’t get me (children playing)
  • The batter didn’t strike the ball hard enough, so the midfielder got it easily. 
  • I’ve got you! 

9. Get = buy

  • Where did you get those nice shoes? 
  • Let me get you a drink!  (At a bar)
  • I want to get a new jacket for the winter. 

10. Get = contract (be stricken by an illness, fall victim of an illness)

  • He got a bad rash. 
  • She got pneumonia. 
  • We couldn’t come to school because we got a terrible cold. 

11. Get = take vengeance on or get even

  • We’ll get them! 
  • That’ll get him good! 
  • This time I got you 
  • I’ll get you for this! 

12. Get = become. This way to use the verb “to get” is probably the most common. When using get with this meaning, we indicate changes in emotional or physical states. We can also use it to indicate changes in states of matter, changes in the weather, temperature, marital status, etc. We have to put and adjective after the verb “to get” to indicate such changes.

  • He got really mad when he heard the news. 
  • It is getting chilly. Let’s get inside the building. 
  • Hurry up boys! The food is getting cold. 
  • She got married when she was 20, but she lived happily ever after. 
  • My friend hit the jackpot and got very rich. 
  • Don’t get nervous. Take it easy.
  • I am getting hungry. I need something to eat. 
  • With this terrible weather I am going to get sick very soon. 
  • My hair is falling out! I am getting bald. 
  • After living here for almost five years, he got smart. Now, he knows how things work here. 
  • Don’t eat too much junk food. You are going to get fat! 
  • Easy with the drinks guys! You are going to get drunk.