What are the definitions of “get to”?
Learn how to use these expressions through these examples
- 1Annoy, irritate.
Don't let her GET TO you; she's just in a bad mood.
- 2Arrive.
When I GET TO it, I'll look at the matter carefully.
- 3Start discussing a topic.
We asked him to GET TO the point, but he just waffled away.
- 4Have the opportunity to do something.
Last June I GOT TO visit Stonehenge.
What’s the most common meaning of the phrasal verb “get to”?
The most common meaning of the phrasal verb get to is to arrive at a place. For example, it can mean reaching a destination, arriving at a certain point in time, or getting to a certain level or position.
What are the different verb forms of “get to”?
| Root Verb | get to |
| Third Person Singular Present | gets to |
| Present Participle | getting to |
| Simple Past | got to |
| Past Participle | gotten to |
Example
I will get to the office by 9 am.
Example
She always gets to work early.
Example
He is getting to the end of the book.
Example
Yesterday, we got to the concert just in time.
Example
I have gotten to the last chapter of the novel.
What kind of phrasal verb is “get to”?
Notes from a Native English Speaker
What is a transitive and intransitive verb? - A transitive verb always has an object after it. (Example: Sam bought a car.) - An intransitive verb never has an object.(Example: She laughed loudly.)
Transitive verb
“get to” is a transitive phrasal verb because it requires a direct object to complete its meaning. The direct object specifies what is being removed, obtained, or eliminated.
Example
I got to the station just in time.
Example
She got to the top of the mountain.
Notes from a Native English Speaker
What is a separable and inseparable phrasal verb? - A “separable phrasal verb” can be separated with an object between the verb and particle. - An “inseparable phrasal verb” cannot be separated by an object.
Inseparable
“get to” is an inseparable phrasal verb. This means that you can’t place an object between the verb and the particle, otherwise, it changes the meaning of the phrasal verb.
Example
I got to the station just in time.
Example
She got to the top of the mountain.
What are common phrases and expressions that include the phrasal verb “get to”?
Good things to know
Does “get to” have an informal or formal tone?
Get to is a neutral phrasal verb. It can be used in both formal and informal contexts. However, in formal writing, it might be more appropriate to use synonyms like 'arrive' or 'reach'. In everyday speech and informal writing, get to is very common.
