Get: got, gotten/got
Get is an irregular verb with two past-participle forms: gotten (used mainly in American English) and got (used in British English and some American contexts). It means to obtain, receive, become, or reach something.
Uses
- Get + object: to obtain or receive something.
- Get + adjective: to become something/someone.
- Get + preposition: to go/arrive somewhere or cause something.
- Get + past participle: to have something done by someone else (only with gotten/got in passive meaning).
- Idioms and phrasal verbs: get up, get along, get over, get by, etc.
What does the phrase "get along" mean?
have a good relationship
"Get along" means to have a friendly or peaceful relationship with others.
Conjugations
| Tense | Form | Example (English) | Example (Get) | Example (Get in Sentence) |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Base | get | I get a gift. | I get a gift. | I get a gift every year. |
| Past Simple | got | She got a letter. | She got a letter. | She got a letter yesterday. |
| Past Participle (BrE) | got | They have got tickets. | They have got tickets. | They have got tickets already. |
| Past Participle (AmE) | gotten | He has gotten better. | He has gotten better. | He has gotten better recently. |
Choose the correct sentence using "get" in the past simple tense.
She got a letter.
"Got" is the past simple form of "get"; the others are incorrect in past tense.
Examples
. Get + object: obtain/receive
- I got a new phone.
- She has gotten many compliments.
- Have you got my message?
- They got tickets for the concert.
. Get + adjective: become
- It’s getting cold outside.
- He got angry quickly.
- She has gotten tired of waiting.
- We got lost on the way.
. Get + preposition: go/arrive or cause
- I got to school late.
- We got home at midnight.
- Can you get the door?
- He got through the exam.
. Get + past participle: have something done
- I got my car repaired.
- She has gotten her hair cut.
- They got the house painted.
- He got the documents signed.
. Idioms and phrasal verbs
- get up = rise from bed
- get along = have a good relationship
- get over = recover from
- get by = manage to survive
Summary
- The past of get is got.
- The past participle is either got (BrE) or gotten (AmE, except in have got meaning).
- Get can mean obtain, become, reach, or cause something.
- It appears in many common phrases and idioms.
Flashcards (1 of 4)
- Tense: Base
- Form: get
- Example (Get): I get a gift.
- Example (Get in Sentence): I get a gift every year.
- Example (English): I get a gift.
Last updated: Wed Jun 18, 2025
