The Verb To Get
| Forms of To Get | |||
|---|---|---|---|
| Present | Past | Continuous | |
| I | get | got | am getting |
| you / we / they | get |
got |
are getting |
| he / she / it | gets |
got |
is getting |
To get is another common verb in the English language. It has a number of different meanings, which can be a problem when you are a learner.
It can mean to receive something.
For example: "I always get lots of cards and messages on my birthday."
You can use it when you are preparing something.
For example: "I am getting ready to tell you more about the verb 'to get"."
It can mean to suffer from something.
For example: "I get a headache when I think about the verb 'to get'."
You can use it when asking someone to fetch something, or offering to fetch it yourself.
For example: "Get your coat, you're leaving."
"Would you like me to get you a coffee?" (See Note Below)
You can also use it when you suddenly understand something.
For example: "Okay, I get it! You don't want me to keep going on about the verb 'to get'."
It can be used without an object.
When you arrive somewhere.
For example: "I got home late."
It can also be used as an auxiliary verb when using the passive tense.
For example: My friends got married 3 years ago.
My cat got run over.
There are other meanings, and uses, but let's get used to these first.
The use of have got
| Question - ? | "Have you got a car?" |
| Positive Answer - Yes | "Yes I've got a car." |
| Negative Answer - No | "No I haven't got a car." |
The use of have got to
This, of course, must be followed by another verb "We have got to do something".
| Have got to | |
|---|---|
| Question - ? | "Have you got to leave early?" |
| Positive Answer - Yes | "Yes I've got to." |
| Negative Answer - No | "No I haven't got to." |
To get something done
If something is done for you, in other words you don't actually do it yourself, you can use the structure "to get something done".
For example:-
"They got their shopping delivered." (They didn't go to the shop to collect it.)
"I get my hair cut once every six weeks." (I don't cut my own hair, my hairdresser cuts it for me.)
"We got the lawn cut whilst we were on holiday." (I wish I could get that done every week.)
!Note - In spoken English "get" is also used instead of "have".