Phrases with get and when to use them

Phrases with get and when to use them

by Adriana Stein

Updated November 10, 2022

Get is basically the most common verb in the English language. Native English speakers often use get phrases in place of more formal phrases in daily conversations. So the more you integrate get phrases into the way you speak and write when you’re learning English, the sooner you’ll start to sound like a native speaker.

While this list is by no means exhaustive, it will most certainly bring you a huge step forward for advancing your English skills. Below is a list of common phrases with “get” and related example sentences for context.

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Get + adjective

Get + adjectiveExample sentence
Get angryThe bull gets angry when it sees red.
Get hotI get hot when the temperature is above 30 degrees.
Get lostI got lost when I traveled to London.
Get hungryI got hungry when I smelled the cookies baking.
Get darkIt gets dark when the sun goes down.
Get dirtyTheir shoes got dirty when they played in the mud.
Get hurtHe got hurt when they had a fight.
Get boredI got bored with playing the game.
Get richShe got rich when she won the lottery.
Get confusedHe got confused when he looked at the map.
Get marriedThey got married 6 months after their engagement.
Get divorcedThe couple was unhappy so they got divorced.
Get excitedI get excited when I know I’ll be on holiday soon.
Get nervousShe got nervous before she gave the presentation.
Get dressedI get dressed before I go to work.

Get + comparative

Get + comparativeExample sentence
Get betterI got better when I took some medicine.
Get worseI got worse when I stood in the cold.
Get deeperThe water gets deeper when you swim further out.
Get more importantIt’s getting more important to learn English.
Get more expensiveIt has gotten more expensive to buy a car lately.
Get saferIt has gotten safer to buy things online.

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Get + a place (to arrive)

Get + a place (to arrive)Example sentence
Get thereI want to get there before nightfall.
Get homeI got home after taking the bus.
Get to the storeThey got to the store and went shopping.
Get to the busWhen she got to the bus stop, she realized she forgot her keys.
Get to workMy manager gets to work at 8am every day.
Get to schoolThey got to school just before the bell rang.

Get (buy/obtain)

Get (buy/obtain)Example sentence
Get a jobI got a new job last week.
Get a dressI got this dress at the mall.
Get a flatWe finally got a flat after searching for months.
Get a puppyHe got a new puppy from the shelter.

Get (receive)

Get (receive)Example sentence
Get an emailI got an email that my appointment was rescheduled.
Get an awardShe got an award for her good grades.
Get a packageThey got a package from the postman.
Get a presentI got a present for my birthday.
Get a phone callThe businessman got a phone call from his client.

Get + preposition (phrasal verbs)

Get + preposition (phrasal verbs)Example sentence
Get upI get up at 7am every day.
Get backHe needs to get back to the office after lunch.
Get throughYou’ll get through it in time.
Get alongThe siblings never got along.
Get overHe wanted to get over his difficult past.
Get awayWe went on holiday to get away for awhile.
Get outYou need to get out of the house and take a break.
Get atI don’t understand what you’re getting at.
Get byWe don’t have enough money to get by this month.
Get offShe needs to get off the train at the next station.

Get collocations

Get collocationsExample sentence
Get permissionThe students need to get permission to go on the field trip.
Get a degreeHe got a degree in Chemistry.
Get the impressionI’m getting the impression that you don’t understand me.
Get a haircutShe got a new haircut.
Get a tanHe got a tan at the beach.
Get nowhereWe’re getting nowhere with these failed results.
Get helpHis friend recommended that he needed to get help.
Get the sackThe lazy employee got the sack from his manager.
Get used toYou’ll get used to speaking English over time.
Get startedWe’ll get started with the project next week.

So, there you have it. Now you just need to put the theory into practice and start using these phrases with “get”.

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