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Part 1 of 4 · Same verb · different particle

“get” phrasal verbs

Same verb, different particle, different meaning. “get” has 23 of them, so they come in 4 parts. Learn these 6 one at a time, then test yourself.

23 phrasal verbslisten & quiz
get
acrossalongaroundaround toataway

get + across · 1 of 6

get across

communicate clearly

  • get sth across to sb
A speaker explains an idea and the same lightbulb appears in her listeners' heads.

to successfully explain an idea or message so that people understand it

How oftenCommon
LevelB2
Used inSpeech & writing

Examples

She used simple language to get her point across to the class.

A: I don't think my idea got across in the meeting.
B: Maybe you should try explaining it differently next time.

Common mistake

Not: I want to get my idea across to clearly.

Say: I want to get my idea across clearly.

Drop the 'to' — 'get it across clearly'.

More on “get across”Another example · Tell it apart · Goes with · Tip

Another example

In group discussions, it's important to get your opinions across clearly so everyone understands your point of view.

Tell it apart

She got her point across clearly.

  • made people understand

She came across as confident.

  • gave that impression

Goes with

  • get + idea + across
Practice saying this
Next: get along

get + along · 2 of 6

get along

have a good relationship

  • get along with sb
  • also: get along with
Two flatmates laugh together while making breakfast in a sunny kitchen.

To have a friendly or harmonious relationship with someone.

How oftenVery common
LevelB1
Used inMostly spoken

Examples

I get along really well with my older brother.

A: Do you get along with your new roommate?
B: Yeah, she's great. We have a lot in common.

Common mistake

Not: I get along very well with him each other.

Say: We get along very well.

'Get along' is already reciprocal — don't add 'each other'.

More on “get along”Another example · Tell it apart · Goes with · Tip

Another example

In my opinion, it's important to get along with your colleagues because it makes the workplace more enjoyable and productive.

Tell it apart

Do you get along with your sister?

  • have a good relationship

How are you getting along with the report?

  • making progress on it

Goes with

  • get along (with)
Practice saying this
Next: get around

get + around · 3 of 6

get around

travel locally

  • get around sth
A woman steps off a bus beside a city map with her route looping between stops.

to move from place to place in a town, city, or area, especially using different types of transport.

How oftenCommon
LevelB1
Used inSpeech & writing

Examples

In London, it's easy to get around by bus or underground.

A: How do you usually get around the city?
B: I mostly use my bike, but sometimes I take the tram.

Common mistake

Not: It's easy to get around in the city by foot.

Say: It's easy to get around the city on foot.

'On foot', not 'by foot'; and 'get around the city' (no 'in').

More on “get around”Another example · Tell it apart · Goes with · Tip

Another example

When I was studying abroad, I found it quite simple to get around because the public transport system was very efficient.

Tell it apart

It's easy to get around here.

  • travel locally

We finally got around to it.

  • found time to do it

Goes with

  • get around + by means
Practice saying this
Next: get around to

get + around to · 4 of 6

get around to

finally do something you have intended to do

  • get around to sth
A man finally assembles a bookshelf from a dusty flat-pack box covered in cobwebs.

to finally do something you have wanted or needed to do for a while, often after delaying it because you were busy or kept forgetting.

How oftenCommon
LevelB1
Used inMostly spoken

Examples

I finally got around to cleaning my room this weekend.

A: Did you ever get around to calling your grandma?
B: Yeah, I called her last night. She was so happy to hear from me.

Common mistake

Not: I never get around to do it.

Say: I never get around to doing it. / get around to it.

'Get around to' takes '-ing' or a noun, not a to-infinitive.

More on “get around to”Another example · Tell it apart · Goes with · Tip

Another example

Honestly, I have a lot of hobbies I want to try, but I haven't got around to learning the guitar yet because of my busy schedule.

Tell it apart

I finally got around to fixing the bike.

  • did it after delay

It's easy to get around the city.

  • travel about

Goes with

  • get around to + -ing
Practice saying this
Next: get at

get + at · 5 of 6

get at

suggest or imply

  • get at sth
In an office kitchen, a colleague hints at something and a woman tries to work out what he means.

to try to say or suggest something without saying it directly.

How oftenCommon
LevelB2
Used inMostly spoken

Examples

I’m not sure what you’re getting at—can you explain more clearly?

A: Are you saying I made a mistake?
B: No, that’s not what I’m getting at.

Common mistake

Not: What do you get at?

Say: What are you getting at?

This sense is usually in the continuous: 'what are you getting at?'.

More on “get at”Another example · Tell it apart · Goes with · Tip

Another example

In the discussion, the speaker was getting at the idea that technology can sometimes make life more complicated.

Tell it apart

What are you getting at?

  • what are you implying?

What are you looking at?

  • what are you viewing?

Goes with

  • what + getting at
Practice saying this
Next: get away

get + away · 6 of 6

get away

escape

  • get away from sb/sth

To leave or escape from a place, situation, or person, especially when it is difficult or you are not supposed to.

How oftenCommon
LevelB1
Used inSpeech & writing

Examples

The thief tried to get away, but the police caught him.

A: How did you get away from that boring meeting?
B: I told them I had another appointment.

Common mistake

Not: The thief got away of the guards.

Say: The thief got away from the guards.

It's 'get away FROM' someone/something — not 'of'.

More on “get away”Another example · Tell it apart · Goes with · Tip

Another example

If I ever feel stressed, I like to get away from the city and spend some time in nature.

Tell it apart

The robbers got away in a white van.

  • escaped

The robbers got away with it.

  • escaped punishment

Goes with

  • get away (from)
Practice saying this
Test yourself: which “get” fits?
Fill the gap

Which “get” fits?

Read the sentence, then pick the phrasal verb that belongs in the gap.

All of “get”

23 phrasal verbs in 4 parts.

Turn this into speaking practice

Pick one and say it out loud. Save the ones you mix up.

get acrossget alongget aroundget around toget atget away