Get

get / got / gotten / getting

The verb “get” has many different meanings and uses. Look in a dictionary and you will see hundreds of possibilities. It’s also used as a substitute for the verb “be” in the passive voice–but not always. It depends on the verb.

1. Professional athletes get a lot of money for simply playing a game.They get paid a lot.  (passive)
2. A lot of leaves got into the gutter, so now I have to get them out of there.
3. When a tomato gets red, you know it’s ready to pick and eat. I’ll be getting a lot of tomatoes from my garden this summer.
4. He got breakfast ready for his wife very early in the morning. She just got up.
5. He got tied up by someone who broke into his apartment and stole all his stuff. (passive)
6. They’re working very hard to get the dishes done. Getting the dishes done by hand takes longer than using a dishwasher.

• Learn how to use “get to” in this video.
• Learn how to use “get” + the past participle in this video.

Get