Get someone to do something | Get someone doing something
These are informal ways to speak about asking, persuading or motivating someone to do something.
As always, don’t forget to download the free Study Sheet at the end of this post.
Can we get them to do it?
(Tom thinking)
I really hope I can get George to give a speech at our wedding. He’s shy, but he knows how much it means to me.
He needs a haircut though. Perhaps Ellen could get him to go to the hairdresser’s.
(Ellen thinking)
I’m so pleased I could get Sarah to be our photographer. She’s a good friend, and she takes amazing photos.
And besides she’s such a skilled hair stylist, too. Oh, I know what I’ll do: I’ll get Sarah to do my hair for the wedding, and to trim Tom’s hair.
Talking of hair … It would be great if Tom could get George to get a haircut. If George agrees, I’ll get him to make an appointment with Ellen – she’s simply the best.
It got me thinking
(Sarah thinking)
My first big job! I’m so excited. Shooting Ellen and Tom’s wedding is a big responsibility. The proposal immediately got me reading as much as I could about wedding photography.
(George thinking)
Tom’s getting married. It got me worrying at first that I might lose him as a friend. But I can see he’s really happy with Ellen, and we continue being best friends.
It’s got me thinking though… Will there ever be anyone for me?
Will there ever be anyone for Tom? Keep reading the series Get a Life! and find out.
GET + someone + to + infinitive: make, persuade, ask
GET someone to do something is an informal way to talk about persuading or making someone do something.
I’ll try to get my sister to lend me the money.
I’ll try to persuade my sister to lend me the money.
Do you think you can get the car to start?
Do you think you can make the car start?
GET + someone + gerund: make someone start to do something, motivate someone to do something
GET someone doing something means that something or someone makes someone start to do something.
Your comment got me wondering. What did you mean?
I’m sure a bonus will get them working better.
• For more information, download my free Study Sheet on GET for persuading and motivating. GET_Persuade_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 learn about GET + noun
- Episode 2: Getting better? The flight attendant and the book lover. Find out about GET + adjective
- Episode 3: Getting up and around. George on the move. Learn about phrasal verbs with GET to speak about movement.
- Episode 4: Do you get it? Ellen is upset about George. A tense phone conversation. See how GET replaces ‘understand’ and other verbs.
- Episode 5: What’s she got? George has got to make an effort. Read about GET to speak about possession and obligation.
- Episode 6: Nobody likes to get hurt. George’s letter to Ellen. Learn how to use 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 GET to talk about opportunity, permission or becoming enabled.