English Vocabulary in Use Pre-intermediate and Intermediate » Unit 83: Get: uses, phrases and phrasal verbs

Word List
  • get [answer]
  • get [arrive]
  • get [become]
  • get [do a task]
  • get [fetch]
  • get better
  • get in [arrive]
  • get in [enter]
  • get in touch
  • get out [leave]
  • get rid of sth
  • get sth back
  • get sth done
  • get sth wrong
  • get to know sb
  • get to sleep
  • get together
  • get worse
Exercises

83.1 ‣ Write a synonym forget in each of these sentences.

  1. I usually get about five emails a day.
  2. Where can I get something to eat round here? _____
  3. I’m just going to get some paper from the office. I’ll be back in a minute. _____
  4. What time did they get here last night? _____
  5. He got very angry when I told him what you did with his CDs. _____
  6. I couldn’t get a room; all the hotels were full. _____
  7. The phone’s ringing. Could you get it for me? _____
  8. Molly sent me a card but I never got it. _____

83.2 ‣ Complete the dialogues using getting + a suitable adjective. Add other words if necessary.

  1. A: It’s .
    B: Yes, it is. I’ll turn on the heating.
  2. A: I’m _____.
    B: Me too. Let’s have something to eat.
  3. A: I’m _____.
    B: Yes, me too. I’ll open the window.
  4. A: It’s _____.
    B: Yes, it is. I’ll put the lights on.
  5. A: It’s _____.
    B: Yes, it is. I think I’ll go to bed.
  6. A: My English is _____.
    B: No, it isn’t – it’s much better now.

83.3 ‣ Rewrite the sentences using a phrase or phrasal verb with get. Keep a similar meaning.

  1. Will the books be returned to you?
  2. We must meet up and have a meal.
    _____
  3. How do you meet people and make friends in this country?
    _____
  4. I must contact the travel company.
    _____
  5. I’d like to throw away these old magazines.
    _____
  6. The train won’t arrive before 10 o’clock.
    _____
  7. The doors were locked; we couldn’t leave.
    _____
  8. I was awake for hours last night.
    _____

83.4 ‣ Continue these statements in a suitable way.

  1. The window is broken.
  2. My hair is getting long.
  3. This essay is taking me hours.
  4. My watch isn’t working.
  5. Lola has still got my CDs.
Answer Key
A ‣ Uses

Get is an informal word and is very common in spoken English. It can have many different meanings.

OBTAIN
I got a ticket from my brother.
I need to get some help.

RECEIVE
I got a new phone for my birthday.
Did you get my email?

BUY
Where did you get that watch?
I went to get a magazine.

ARRIVE
What time did you get here?
I’ll phone when I get home.

BECOME
It gets dark very early in winter.
My hands are getting cold.

FETCH
Could you (go and) get my glasses from the kitchen for me?

ANSWER the door/phone
A: Is that the door?
B: Yes, I’ll get it.


  1. DO a task, or arrange for someone to do it for you, using get + past participle

I’ll never get this essay finished; it’s too difficult.
I need to get my hair cut.
I got my watch repaired today.

B ‣ Phrases

You can get in touch with me via email. [make contact by email, phone or letter]

A bedtime story helps children get to sleep [start sleeping].

The salsa classes are a chance for us to get together [meet and spend time together].

I’m sorry I got the number wrong [said or wrote something that was not correct].

My cold is getting worse [becoming more unpleasant; opp getting better].

I’d like to get rid of my old CDs. [throw them away, give them away, or sell them]

I got to know lots of Americans when I stayed in San Francisco. [met and became friends with]

C ‣ Phrasal verbs

He stopped the car and I got out [left the car; also leave a building].

I gave her £25, but I’ll get it back tomorrow. [have it returned to me]

The door was locked so we couldn’t get in [enter a place, especially when it is difficult].

Our train should get in around midnight. [arrive]

What time did you get up this morning? [get out of bed]

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