What are the definitions of “get up”?
Learn how to use these expressions through these examples
- 1Get out of bed.
I GET UP at seven o'clock on weekdays, but lie in till noon at the weekend.
- 2Organise.
They GOT UP a list of two hundred people who were opposed to the local council's plans.
What’s the most common meaning of the phrasal verb “get up”?
The most common meaning of the phrasal verb get up is to rise from a lying or sitting position, especially from bed after sleeping. For example, it can mean waking up and leaving your bed in the morning.
What are the different verb forms of “get up”?
| Root Verb | get up |
| Third Person Singular Present | gets up |
| Present Participle | getting up |
| Simple Past | got up |
| Past Participle | gotten up |
Example
Every morning, I get up at 6 am.
Example
She gets up early to prepare breakfast.
Example
He is getting up from the chair.
Example
Yesterday, they got up at dawn to watch the sunrise.
Example
He had already gotten up when I arrived.
What kind of phrasal verb is “get up”?
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.)
Intransitive verb
“get up” is an intransitive phrasal verb because it doesn't require an object to complete its meaning. It forms a complete sentence without an object.
Example
I usually get up at 7 am.
Example
He got up from the chair.
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 up” 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 usually get up at 7 am.
Example
He got up from the chair.
What are common phrases and expressions that include the phrasal verb “get up”?
Good things to know
Does “get up” have an informal or formal tone?
Get up is a neutral phrasal verb. It is commonly used in both formal and informal contexts. However, in formal writing, you might prefer to use 'rise' or 'stand' instead of get up. For example, 'He rose from his chair' sounds more formal than 'He got up from his chair'.
