Phrasal verbs "get by with" vs "get to"

Differences between get by with and get to

Get by with means to manage or survive with the resources available, while get to means to arrive at a destination or to have the opportunity to do something.

Meanings and Definitions: get by with vs get to

Learn how to use these expressions through these examples

Get by with

• 1. Have enough of something to do the job.

  We should be able to GET BY WITH three PCs, but four would be better.

Get to

• 1. Annoy, irritate.

  Don't let her GET TO you; she's just in a bad mood.

• 2. Arrive.

  When I GET TO it, I'll look at the matter carefully.

• 3. Start discussing a topic.

  We asked him to GET TO the point, but he just waffled away.

• 4. Have the opportunity to do something.

  Last June I GOT TO visit Stonehenge.

Usage Examples: get by with, get to in Sentences

Learn how to use these expressions through these examples

get by with

Example

We can get by with the food we have in the pantry.

Example

She gets by with her old car, but she would like a new one.

get to

Example

I will get to the office by 9 am.

Example

She always gets to work early.

Similar Expressions(Synonyms) of Get by with

make do

To manage or cope with a difficult situation using the resources available.

Example

Despite the limited budget, they were able to make do and organize a successful event.

scrape by

To barely manage or survive with limited resources or income.

Example

After losing his job, he had to scrape by with odd jobs until he found a new one.

get along

To manage or maintain a relationship or situation despite difficulties or differences.

Example

Despite their different personalities, they were able to get along and work together effectively.

Similar Expressions(Synonyms) of Get to

arrive at

To reach or get to a specific destination.

Example

After a long journey, they finally arrived at their hotel and rested.

have the chance to

To have the opportunity or possibility to do something.

Example

She was thrilled to have the chance to meet her favorite author and get her book signed.

be able to

To have the ability or opportunity to do something.

Example

Thanks to her hard work, she was able to achieve her dream of studying abroad.

Explore more Phrasal Verbs

Here are some phrasal verbs with the same verbs or particles

Phrasal Verbs with “get”

• get after
• get back to
• get across
• get it
• get it off with

Phrasal Verbs with “to”

• give it to
• owe to
• cling to
• occur to
• warm to

Differences in get by with vs get to: Usage, Formality, and Tone

Frequency in Daily Use: get by with or get to?

Both phrases are commonly used in everyday conversation, but get by with is more frequently used than get to. This is because get by with is used to describe daily routines and challenges, while get to is used for specific events or opportunities.

Informal vs Formal: Contextual Use of get by with and get to

Get by with and get to are both informal phrases that are suitable for casual conversations. However, in more formal settings like business or academic contexts, using alternative expressions can convey a more professional tone.

Tone and Implication: The Nuances of get by with and get to

The tone of get by with and get to can differ based on context. Get by with often carries a tone of resilience or resourcefulness when describing how someone manages to survive or cope with a difficult situation. On the other hand, get to typically has a tone of excitement or anticipation when referring to arriving at a destination or having the opportunity to do something.

get by with & get to: Synonyms and Antonyms

Get by with

Synonyms

• manage with
• make do with
• cope with
• survive with
• suffice with

Antonyms

• insufficient
• lack
• need more
• require more

Get to

Synonyms

• arrive
• reach
• attain
• achieve
• access
• approach
• enter
• come to

Antonyms

• depart
• leave
• exit
• retreat
• withdraw
• recede
• back away
• move away