Welcome back to our English blog. This week’s post is the first of a series in which we will explore the many meanings of some very simple English vocabulary. Our word for this post is the word ‘get’. This is a short word (three letters! one syllable!), and it is an extremely common word. It is also an example of English vocabulary with many different meanings, which can make it a little challenging.
Being aware of the many meanings of simple English vocabulary is very helpful when reading or listening in English. Let’s have a look at 10 (!) meanings of the English word ‘get’:
One common meaning of ‘get’ is ‘receive’.
Here are a few examples:
Lindsey got a new bicycle for her birthday from her parents.
I got a message today from an old friend.
Another meaning of ‘get’ is ‘become’. We can use this to talk about emotions and characteristics or about our health and physical state.
It’s easy to get frustrated when you are driving in traffic.
People have gotten tired of getting so many spam* messages.
At first, Renee didn’t really like her botany** class, but later it got more interesting.
If you don’t have a healthy diet, you might get sick more easily.
In some situations, ‘get’ can mean ‘arrive’:
What time did you get home last night?
I’ll probably get to the party around 10 o’clock.
Additionally, ‘get’ can mean ‘obtain’. This often means that we bought something.
I think I’m going to get a new phone soon.
Where did you get that bag?
We can also use ‘get’ to mean that we are going to go somewhere and return with someone or something. In this sense, ‘get’ is synonymous with ‘retrieve’.
I have to go to the airport tonight to get Jane.
I’m going to get the mail.
Next, ‘get’ sometimes means ‘understand’.
Oh, now I get it! Wow, that was a really hard math problem!
I get why you are angry. That is a really frustrating situation.
One meaning of ‘get’ may seem a little strange if you are from a younger generation. This involves situations in which we ‘respond to’ or ‘answer’ a thing!
(the phone in your house, which is a landline***, is ringing)
I’ll get it!
(someone is knocking at your front door)
I’ll get it!
There is another meaning of ‘get’ that is a little more complex. This meaning involves convincing someone to do something or causing something to be a certain way.
-I need some help moving to my new apartment.
-Roger has a truck. Maybe you can get him to help you.
I got the credit card company to remove the late fee.
-I can’t get the Internet to work.
-Have you tried resetting it?
‘Get’ sometimes refers to having an opportunity or chance to do something.
When we were in Rome, we got to visit St. Peter’s Basilica. It is absolutely amazing!
I was so happy got to see Alex when he came to town!
Other times ‘get’ has a passive meaning when someone performs a service for us.
I got my tires changed at the body shop. Now my car is in great shape.
I need to get my nails done. They look terrible right now.
Here is a quick grammar note. Our structure here is:
Get + object + past participle
Also, another grammar note: in this meaning, we can also use the verb ‘have’:
They had their house painted.
Phew!
Now let’s see if we can identify the different meanings of this English vocabulary in context. Each of the situations matches one of the meanings of ‘get’ from above. Use the context in each situation to match the meanings of ‘get’ to the meanings below:
receive
become
arrive
obtain/buy
retrieve/return with
understand
respond to
convince
have the opportunity
passive (when another person performs a service)
Good luck!
1 I studied Spanish in college. Now, some kids get to learn Spanish in elementary school.
2 My dog gets excited every time he sees his leash.
3 I really don’t get why people love this book. The ending is so depressing!
4 I’ll get it!
5 I hope I can get my professor to give me some more time to finish my paper.
6 I got a new tablet.
7 Erin got a new tablet for Christmas.
8 I got my teeth cleaned last week. Going to the dentist is expensive.
9 Can you go get the kids from school today?
10 I don’t think the package will get here until tomorrow.
3
2
1
Answers:
1 have the opportunity
2 become
3 understand
4 respond to
5 convince
6 obtain/buy
7 receive
8 passive (when another person performs a service)
9 retrieve
10 arrive
Look and listen for these different meanings when you are studying or just speaking with native English speakers! Your English vocabulary will be greatly improved by reading every day!
*
https://dictionary.cambridge.org/us/dictionary/learner-english/spam
**
https://dictionary.cambridge.org/us/dictionary/learner-english/botany
***https://dictionary.cambridge.org/us/dictionary/learner-english/landline