In combination with prepositions of place or movement, ‘GET’ forms PHRASAL VERBS that describe a MOVEMENT, or talk about arriving.
For a list of phrasal verbs with ‘GET’ that speak about movement, download my free Study Sheet as a PDF. GET_Movement_PDF
Read about George’s typical day and see how these phrasal verbs are used.
Getting up and around
George on the move
It was hard to get up this morning and go back to work after weeks of sick leave. At last I managed to get out of bed. In the bathroom I had to make an effort to get out of my pyjamas. I got into the shower; after that I felt more awake.
After a quick coffee I got out of the house just in time for the 8.25 bus. Public transport is definitely the best way to get to the city centre.
There were so many people queueing at the stop that I was the last one to get on the bus; those behind me had to wait for the next one. The bus was packed. I struggled to get past the other passengers, who did their best to get out of my way. Little by little I managed to get to the exit. I struggled once more to get off at my destination. By the time I got to the office I felt ruffled and exhausted.
My colleague, however, got in half an hour late. She told us her canary had escaped and it had taken her ages to get it down from her bedroom lamp. But I suspect she overslept and didn’t get to the station in time.
My trip home was much better. On the bus a young woman with dark hair got up from her seat for me. Do I really look that old? I’m only 37. She gave me a lovely smile. Then she carried on reading her book: How to Take Perfect Wedding Photographs.
When I got home I helped my elderly neighbours get their shopping upstairs. But at last I got in and immediately got out of my suit and shoes and into my pyjamas. What bliss!
Dinner was a plate of hot soup and a salad. I watched an old Hollywood film and just got into bed now. Rather lonely … I’m glad Tom gets back from one of his flights tomorrow. And perhaps I ought to get away for a weekend soon.
Dark clouds form on the horizon. What is Ellen’s problem? Read Episode 4.
GET + preposition/adverb = a change of position or place
- get down from a tree, from a ladder
- get into/get out of a car, a taxi; the shower; clothes
- get on/get off a bike, the bus, the plane, the train
- get under a blanket, a roof, an umbrella
- get up from a chair, from the floor, in the morning
GET + object + preposition/adverb = move someone or something to a new position
- get the ice cream out of the sun
- get the cake into the oven
GET + to + a place = arrive at, reach
- get to the airport / get to the meeting / get to the stadium
- get to Boston / get to France
CAREFUL: do not use TO with these adverbs:
get here / get there / get back / get home
Download a Study Sheet for a list of phrasal verbs with GET describing movement. GET_Movement_PDF
Get a life! – The series
- Introduction: Learn 7 facts about the verb GET.
- Episode 1: What did you get? Meet George, Ellen and Tom, and find out about GET + noun.
- Episode 2: Getting better? The flight attendant and the book lover. Learn about GET + adjective.
- Episode 4: Do you get it? Ellen is upset about George: A tense phone conversation. Find out about GET replacing ‘understand’ and other verb.
- Episode 5: What’s she got? George has got to make an effort. Find out a bit more about the girl on the bus, and see how you can use GET to speak about possession and obligation.
- Episode 6: Nobody likes to get hurt. George’s letter to Ellen. Learn about GET in the Passive.
- Episode 7: Lots of things to get done. Preparing a wedding. See how to use GET in the Causative.
- Episode 8: Not everyone gets to do it. Finally meet Sarah, and learn about the two uses of GET to do something.
- Episode 9: Can we get them to do it? It got me thinking. Learn about GET for persuading and motivating people to do something while each of our characters are thinking about the wedding in their own way.