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Part 4 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 5 one at a time, then test yourself.

23 phrasal verbslisten & quiz
get
rid ofthroughthrough tototogether

get + rid of · 1 of 5

get rid of

remove

  • get rid of sth
Two people carry a worn-out armchair with a broken spring out to a skip on the street.

To throw away, eliminate, or stop having something you do not want or need.

How oftenVery common
LevelB1
Used inMostly spoken

Examples

I need to get rid of these old magazines because they're taking up too much space.

A: Why is your closet so empty?
B: I finally got rid of all the clothes I never wear.

Common mistake

Not: I want to get rid off these old clothes.

Say: I want to get rid of these old clothes.

It's 'get rid OF' (one 'f') — not 'rid off'.

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

Another example

If I had to move to another country, I would get rid of most of my furniture and only take what I really need.

Tell it apart

We got rid of the old sofa.

  • removed/threw it out

We held on to the old sofa.

  • kept it

Goes with

  • get rid of + thing
Practice saying this
Next: get through

get + through · 2 of 5

get through

finish a difficult task

  • get through sth
A woman leans back at her desk with her arms raised beside a tall stack of finished, ticked-off papers.

To finish something that is hard or takes a lot of effort.

How oftenCommon
LevelB1
Used inMostly spoken

Examples

I finally got through all my homework before midnight.

A: How was your day?
B: Exhausting! I just got through that huge report at work.

Common mistake

Not: I need to get through with this report by five.

Say: I need to get through this report by five.

'Get through' a task takes the object directly — 'get through with' is non-standard here.

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

Another example

During exam season, I have to get through a lot of reading every week.

Tell it apart

I finally got through my inbox.

  • finished the demanding task

I got through to customer service.

  • reached them by phone

Goes with

  • get through + workload
Practice saying this
Next: get through to

get + through to · 3 of 5

get through to

make someone understand

  • get through to sb

to succeed in making someone understand what you are trying to say, especially when it is difficult.

How oftenCommon
LevelB2
Used inSpeech & writing

Examples

No matter how many times I explain, I just can't get through to him.

A: I've told my parents how I feel, but they don't seem to get it.
B: Sometimes it's hard to get through to people, especially family.

Common mistake

Not: It's hard to get through them this idea.

Say: It's hard to get through to them. / get this idea through to them.

Use 'get through TO' someone; the idea goes 'through to them'.

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

Another example

In group projects, it's important to get through to your teammates so everyone understands their role.

Tell it apart

I couldn't get through to the students.

  • make them understand

I couldn't get through to the office.

  • reach it by phone

Goes with

  • get through to + person
Practice saying this
Next: get to

get + to · 4 of 5

get to

upset or affect someone

  • sth gets to sb
  • informal
A woman at her desk presses her hands over her ears while a drill hammers loudly outside her window.

to gradually upset, bother, or wear someone down emotionally

How oftenVery common
LevelB2
Used inMostly spoken

Examples

I try not to let the comments get to me, but some days they do.

All the bad news lately is really starting to get to her.

Common mistake

Confusing it with 'get to' meaning arrive at a place.

More on “get to”Tip
Practice saying this
Next: get together

get + together · 5 of 5

get together

to meet with someone socially

  • get together with sb
  • informal
Friends and family share a big dish of food around a garden table under string lights, laughing.

to meet friends, family, or other people for a social reason, often to spend time together or celebrate something.

How oftenVery common
LevelB1
Used inMostly spoken

Examples

We usually get together at my place on Fridays to watch movies.

A: Are you free this weekend?
B: Yeah, let's get together for lunch!

Common mistake

Not: Let's get together with on Saturday.

Say: Let's get together on Saturday. / get together with the others.

'Get together' stands alone or takes 'with + people' — not a dangling 'with'.

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

Another example

I think it's important for families to get together regularly because it helps everyone stay connected.

Tell it apart

We got together for dinner.

  • met up socially

We put together a plan.

  • assembled it

Goes with

  • get together (with)
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 rid ofget throughget through toget toget together