The Verb Get - The Student Worksheet
Some study and MUCH practice is required with this verb. We must first read and understand the different uses and meanings of the verb.
This verb is one of the keys to using English like a native speaker.
6 Tenses Forms:
Past Simple = I got
Present Perfect = I have gotten / I have got
Present Simple = I get
Present Continuous = I am getting
Future Simple = I will get
PART I - Get used as a substitute verb
For each of these substitute verbs, create your own personal example.
1. Get = arrive
Example 1: I got here in spite of the traffic
Example 2: What time do you get here?
Your personal example: …………………………………………………..
2. Get = become (for a change in condition or status)
Example 1: The weather is getting hotter
Example 2: I need to get ready / I am getting ready
Example 3: The children are getting bored at the beach
Example 4: I’m getting hungry
Your personal example: …………………………………………………..
Your personal example: …………………………………………………..
3. Get = buy
Example 1: Where can I get a newspaper?
Example 2: Where did you get your t-shirt?
Your personal example: …………………………………………………..
4. Get = obtain
Example 1: John got his driving license last year
Example 2: He went to get his keys
Your personal example: …………………………………………………..
5. Get = to pick up (interchangeable)
Example 1: I’ll get you at the airport
Example 2: I’ll come and get you at 6:30 pm
Your personal example: …………………………………………………..
6. Get = receive
Example 1: Did you get my email?
Example 2: I got a postcard from my sister
Your personal example: …………………………………………………..
7. Get = persuade (open to interp)
Example 1: Why don’t you get your sister to babysit for you?
Your personal example: …………………………………………………..
8. Get = understand
Example 1: Do you get it?
Example 2: I didn’t get it (the joke)
Your personal example: …………………………………………………..
9. Get = do
Example 1: I need to get my nails done
Example 2: I need to get my hair done
Your personal example: …………………………………………………..
Exercise 1
There are other examples of substitute verbs in the exercise below.
Try and “get” the correct substitute verbs. What does ‘get’ mean in these sentences?
Pause the video after each example to write the substitute verb.
1. He got rich by buying a lot of property when prices were low.
Substitute = ………………………
2. I don’t get why she’s always got to be the one who decides the agenda.
Substitute 1 = ………………………
Substitute 2 = ………………………
3. He’s got a great car. He got it last year on Ebay!
Substitute 1 = ………………………
Substitute 2 = ………………………
4. I just got a message from Emma. She wants me to get her a coffee.
Substitute 1 = ………………………
Substitute 2 = ………………………
5. Melanie got the flu a few weeks ago. She still doesn’t feel too good, so she’s getting the train to work till she feels well enough to drive again.
Substitute 1 = ………………………
Substitute 2 = ………………………
6. My boss always says, “I don’t care, just get it done”
Substitute = ………………………
Exercise 2
What is the substitute verb in the following examples?
(Answers at the end of the page)
1. I applied for tickets but didn’t get a reply.
2. We got the plane to Paris for the match but got there late and didn’t get to see the first half.
3. Stop making excuses and get running – now! You need to be fitter than this for a Marathon.
4. He got pneumonia because he carried on training and playing even though he was ill.
5. Ticket prices are getting more expensive.
6. Can you get another ball from the shed? This one’s punctured.
7. I don’t get why he was sent off.
8. The club got two new defenders last season.
PART II - Get used with prepositions = Phrasal verbs
1. To get up
Example 1:
Question: What time do you get up everyday? (using Present Simple for habitual actions)
Answer: I get up at 8 am
Example 2: Get up from that seat and let your grandmother sit down!
Meaning = to leave your bed/ to stand up from sitting in a chair
Now create your own example that you can use in your life:
Your personal example: ……………………………………………………….
Additional Questions:
What’s the difference between wake up and get up?
What time did you get up yesterday (using Past Simple for finished actions)
What time will you get up this Sunday? (Future Simple)
2. To get down
Example 1: Get down from the table! (using the imperative in Present Simple for an order)
Example 2: Rainy days get me down
Meaning = to move from a higher level to a lower level (physically or emotionally)
Now create your own example that you can use in your life:
Your personal example: ……………………………………………………….
Additional Questions:
What’s the difference between get down and come down?
What things can get you down sometimes?
3. To get in
Example 1: She got in really later last night (using Past Simple for finished actions)
Example 2: What time did you get in last night?
Meaning = to arrive home
To get in a car: (remember the exception = to enter a car / truck / taxi / lorry)
Example 3: She got in the car in a hurry
Meaning = to enter a car/ / truck / taxi / lorry
Now create your own example that you can use in your life:
Your personal example: ……………………………………………………….
Additional Questions:
What’s the opposite of get in?
What was the last vehicle that you got in?
4. To get out
To get out of a car: (remember the exception = to exit a car / truck / taxi / lorry)
Example 1: We got out of the taxi in front of the restaurant
Meaning = to exit a car/ / truck / taxi / lorry
To get out of (something)
Example 2: I couldn’t think of an excuse to get out of the meeting
Meaning = to avoid/ escape from
Example 3: Get out of those wet cloths, you’ll catch a cold!
Meaning = to remove/ to take off
Now create your own examples that you can use in your life:
Your personal example 1: ……………………………………………………….
Your personal example 2: ……………………………………………………….
Your personal example 3: ……………………………………………………….
5. To get on
To get on a transport = metro, plane, motorbike, horse, bicycle etc
Example 1: He got on the metro at Liverpool Street
Meaning = to enter a form of transport
To get on with (someone)
Example 2: Do you get on with your mother?
Example 3: Do you get on with your boss?
Meaning = to have a good relationship with
To get on with a job/ project/ task
Example 4: How are you getting on with the new job?
Meaning = to cope/ to manage ( how is it going?)
To get on with (something)
Example 5: Get on with your work!
Context: Imperative ( for giving orders )
Example 6: Get on with it !
Meaning = to continue doing something / to do a job/ a task immediately
Now create your own examples that you can use in your life:
Your personal example 1: ……………………………………………………….
Your personal example 2: ……………………………………………………….
Your personal example 3: ……………………………………………………….
Additional Questions:
What’s the opposite of get on?
Do you get on with your boss?
What was the last transport you got on?
When did you last get on a plane?
6. To get along ( this is the same as “to get on with”)
Example 1: I get along with everyone
Example 2: Do you get along with your brother?
Meaning = to have a good relationship with someone/something
To get along without
Example 3:
If I took a week’s vacation, could you get along without me?
Meaning = to survive / to be able to manage yourself
7. To get off
To get off a transport = metro, plane, motorbike, horse, bicycle etc
Example 1: She got off the bus at 74th street
Meaning = to exit all forms of transport (except a car/taxi)
To get off work
Example 2: What time do you get off work?
Meaning = to finish an activity
To get off punishment
Example 3: Michael was on trial for murder but his lawyer was so good he got off
Meaning = to avoid punishment
Now create your own examples that you can use in your life:
Your personal example 1: ……………………………………………………….
Your personal example 2: ……………………………………………………….
Your personal example 3: ……………………………………………………….
Additional Questions:
What’s the difference between to get off and to get away with?
Name 2 things that you get off regularly?
8. To get back
To get back from a location
Example 1: I will get back this afternoon
Meaning = to return
To get back to someone
Example 2: I will get back to you later
Meaning = to call back / to return a call
To get back into an activity
Example 3: After a long break, I got back into playing tennis
Meaning = to return to doing a past activity
Now create your own examples that you can use in your life:
Your personal example 1: ……………………………………………………….
Your personal example 2: ……………………………………………………….
Your personal example 3: ……………………………………………………….
Additional Questions:
When did you get back from your last holiday?
What’s the best way to get back from London at the weekend?
What did The Beatles mean when they sang “get back to where you once belong”?
9. To get over
To get over something
Example 1: Just get over it!
Meaning = to overcome something/ to stop suffering from something
To get over an illness/ an emotional issue
Example 2: It took her a long time to get over her illness
Meaning = to recuperate
Now create your own examples that you can use in your life:
Your personal example 1: ……………………………………………………….
Your personal example 2: ……………………………………………………….
Additional Questions:
How long did it take you to get over your first break up? (To break up = to finish a relationship)
What does it mean to say “get over yourself!”?
10. To get around
To get around by car/bicycle etc
Example 1: I get around my city by car
Meaning = to move/ transport
To get around to something
Example 2: Will you get around to reading your book?
Meaning = to find the time to do something
Now create your own examples that you can use in your life:
Your personal example 1: ……………………………………………………….
Your personal example 2: ……………………………………………………….
Additional Questions:
What’s the best way to get around Amsterdam?
It is easy to get around your city/town on public transport?
11. To get away
To get away
Example 1: Did you get away last weekend?
Meaning = to take a trip/ escape from somewhere
To get away with
Example 2: to cheat at poker (or a game) and get away with it
Meaning = to avoid punishment
To get away with doing something
Example 3: He is so handsome he can get away with wearing pink
Example 4: She is so intelligent she can get away with not studying for an exam
Meaning = to take advantage of something/ to afford to do
Now create your own examples that you can use in your life:
Your personal example 1: ……………………………………………………….
Your personal example 2: ……………………………………………………….
Additional Questions:
Describe something that you got away with recently?
Where do you like to get away to?
What do you need to get away from?
12. To get by
To get by/ To get by on
Example 1: How much money do you need to get by to live in Paris?
Example 2: I get by on €50 a day in my city
Meaning = to manage to live / to survive
Now create your own example that you can use in your life:
Your personal example: ……………………………………………………….
Additional Questions:
How much money did you get by on when living as a student?
What does the business need to get by this year?
13. To get through
To get through (communications)
Example 1: Did you get through to the doctor?
Meaning = to contact/ to make a connection
To get through a process
Example 2: I got through the first interview
Meaning = to complete a stage or a step
Now create your own examples that you can use in your life:
Your personal example 1: ……………………………………………………….
Your personal example 2: ……………………………………………………….
Additional Questions:
What’s the difference between to get through and to go through?
14. To get across
To get across a message/communciation
Example 1: The speaker really got his message across
Meaning = to communicate successfully
Now create your own example that you can use in your life:
Your personal example: ……………………………………………………….
Additional Questions:
In the last TED Talk you watched, what was the main message the speaker got across?
15. To get ahead
To get ahead
Example 1: If you want to get ahead you should work hard
Meaning = to make progress/ to improve
Now create your own example that you can use in your life:
Your personal example 1: ……………………………………………………….
Additional Questions:
What’s the best way to get ahead in your company?
The Verb Get Masterclass
Additional uses of the verb Get:
IDIOMS with Get
There are also lots of idioms and expressions that contain the word ‘get’.
Discuss what you think they mean with your teacher
don’t get me wrong
get this show on the road getting nowhere
got cold feet
got into hot water
got off on the wrong foot
got our wires crossed
got the wrong end of the stick got to the bottom of it
to get it off my chest
to get on your soapbox
what you see is what you get
Idiom exercise
Fill the blanks with one of the the above idioms:
1. I don’t think it was fair that I …………………….. for being late for the meeting. The team and I must
have ………………………. somehow – most people turned up on time at 9.00, but some of us were sure it was at 9.30.
2. …………………………….., I think the issue is as important as you do, but we’ve been discussing it for an hour now
and ………………………… so let’s move on to the next item and maybe come back to it later.
3. Martin was all set to do his first presentation but
he ……………………….. at the last minute and asked me to do it.
4. Do we know what caused the accident? Has anyone ………………………. yet?
5. I think I ……………………….. with the new manager – I was calling him Mr Johnson instead of Mr Thompson all day, and no one corrected me!
6. I like working with Lisa. You never have to wonder what she’s really thinking. With her, …………………………….
7. I think Fiona …………………………… when I told her how pleased I was with her recent work – she seems to think she’s next in line for promotion now!
8. Look I know how strongly you feel about equality in the workplace, and I agree with you. But there’s no
need …………………………… every time the subject comes up!
9. Ok, it looks like everyone’s here now so let’s ……………………………….
10. Thanks for listening – I know there’s nothing you can do about it, but it feels good …………………………………!
Idiom Definitions
don’t get me wrong = don’t misunderstand me
get this show on the road = Let’s start (event, project, presentation, speech etc..)
getting nowhere = not productive, inefficient, going around in a circle
got cold feet = to change opinion or decision
got into hot water = to get into trouble
got off on the wrong/right foot = to start something positively/ negatively
got your wires crossed = to become confused / misunderstand communication
got the wrong end of the stick = to misunderstand a message or communication
got to the bottom of it = to find the source of the problem / where it started
to get it off my chest = to release emotion about something/ to talk about a problem
to get on your soapbox = to express too much opinion
what you see is what you get = it is what it is/ without
Idiom exercise Solution
1. I don’t think it was fair that I got into hot water for being late for the meeting. The team and I must have got our wires crossed somehow – most people turned up on time at 9.00, but some of us were sure it was at 9.30.
2. Don’t get me wrong, I think the issue is as important as you do, but we’ve been discussing it for an hour now and getting nowhere so let’s move on to the next item and maybe come back to it later.
3. Martin was all set to do his first presentation but he got cold feet at the last minute and asked me to do it.
4. Do we know what caused the accident? Has anyone got to the bottom of it yet?
5. I think I got off on the wrong foot with the new manager – I was calling him Mr Johnson instead of Mr Thompson all day, and no one corrected me!
6. I like working with Lisa. You never have to wonder what she’s really thinking. With her, what you see is what you get.
7. I think Fiona got the wrong end of the stick when I told her how pleased I was with her recent work – she seems to think she’s next in line for promotion now!
8. Look I know how strongly you feel about equality in the workplace, and I agree with you. But there’s no need to get on your soapbox every time the subject comes up!
9. Ok, it looks like everyone’s here now so let’s get this show on
the road.
10. Thanks for listening – I know there’s nothing you can do about it, but it feels good to get it off my chest!
Phrasal verbs (English to Spanish)
Get on well with someone – lleverse bien
Get over an illness – recuperarse de
Get together with someone – reunirse
Get behind someone or something – quedarse atrás
Get away from – marcharse
Getaway – fugarse
Get through – comunicarse con alguien
Get around – evitar
Get up to – llegar a
Get along – llevarse bien
To get a surprise – llevarse una sopresa
To get the impression that – tener la impressión de que
To get something done – hacer algo
To get going – poner en marcha
To get married – casarse
To get used to – acostumbrarse a algo
To get to like – coger afición
To get to do – llegar a hacer algo
To get to see – lograr ver a alguien
Additional (Slang)
Get pissed
Get laid
Get high
Get fucked up
Get wasted
Get into trouble
Why don´t you get fucked?
Get your shit together
Get stoned
Part I Exercise 2: Answers
1. I applied for tickets but didn’t get a reply. = receive
2. We got the plane to Paris for the match but got there late and didn’t get to see the first half = took/arrived/weren’t able to
3. Stop making excuses and get running – now! You need to be fitter than this for a Marathon = start
4. He got pneumonia because he carried on training and playing even though he was ill = contracted
5. Ticket prices are getting more expensive. = becoming
6. Can you get another ball from the shed? This one’s punctured = bring
7. I don’t get why he was sent off = understand
8. The club got two new defenders last season = acquire
There is an updated version of this material in the Essential English Online Course. It is a 1 hour video divided into 2 parts. Part 1 is Get used a substitute verb. Part 2 is get used with prepositions = Phrasal Verbs.
Watch the course introduction video!
