Verb Overview
Get is an irregular verb in English used frequently in various contexts such as obtaining, becoming, or arriving. Its past simple form is got, while the past participle can be either got or gotten, depending on the variety of English. In American English, gotten is commonly used as the past participle, while British English tends to use got.
Forms and Usage
The verb get can function in many contexts: to receive or obtain something, to become a certain way, or to move or travel to a place. The choice between got and gotten is important for correct usage. Gotten often implies acquisition or process, whereas got is more associated with possession or state.
Past Simple and Past Participle
- Past Simple: got
- Past Participle: gotten (American English) / got (British English)
The past participle is used notably in perfect tenses and passive voice.
Conjugations
| English Pronoun | English Conjugation | Spanish Conjugation | English Example | Spanish Example |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| I | get / got / gotten | conseguir / consiguió / conseguido | I get a prize every year. | Yo consigo un premio cada año. |
| You | get / got / gotten | conseguir / consiguió / conseguido | You got my message. | Tú recibiste mi mensaje. |
| He/She/It | gets / got / gotten | consigue / consiguió / conseguido | She has gotten better. | Ella ha mejorado. |
| We | get / got / gotten | conseguimos / conseguimos / conseguido | We got tickets yesterday. | Nosotros conseguimos entradas ayer. |
| They | get / got / gotten | consiguen / consiguieron / conseguido | They have gotten lost. | Ellos se han perdido. |
Examples in Context
- I got a new job last week. (Past simple – action completed)
- She has gotten very good at playing piano. (Present perfect with past participle)
- We got home late last night. (Past simple – arrived)
- You have got a lot of work to do. (British English present perfect)
Usage Tips
When teaching English, clarify the difference between got and gotten depending on the region, and encourage practice of various contexts like possession, acquisition, and becoming states. Highlight that in American English, gotten is common in perfect tenses, while in British English, got is standard.
