Mastering the Phrasal Verb "Get On"
The English language is famous—or perhaps infamous—for its phrasal verbs. These are multi-word combinations that often change meaning depending on the context. One of the most versatile and frequently used is the phrase get on. Whether you are traveling, discussing your social life, or talking about the passage of time, understanding how to get on with this phrasal verb will significantly improve your fluency.
The Many Meanings of "Get On"
Because get on is so flexible, it helps to break its usage down into distinct categories. Here is how you can use it in your daily conversations:
- Boarding transport: Use this when you step into or onto a large vehicle. You get on a bus, a train, a plane, or a ship. Note: Use "get in" for smaller vehicles like cars or taxis.
- Interpersonal relationships: When you have a good or smooth relationship with someone, you "get on well."
- The passage of time: We use this to describe time moving forward, especially when it is becoming late.
- Personal progress: You can use it to describe how someone is developing or managing a task or a career.
- Aging: We often say someone is "getting on in years" as a polite way to describe someone growing older.
- Media appearances: If you are featured on a television show or radio program, you have "got on."
- Mounting an animal: It describes the physical act of climbing onto the back of a horse or other riding animal.
Usage and Examples
Seeing the phrase in context is the best way to understand its nuances. Here are common examples of how to use get on:
- Transport: "Hurry up! We need to get on the train before the doors close."
- Relationships: "I really get on well with my new coworkers; they are very friendly."
- Time: "It is getting on toward midnight—let's all go to bed!"
- Progress: "How are you getting on with your university thesis?"
- Aging: "My grandfather is getting on a bit, so he doesn't travel as much as he used to."
- Media: "She was so excited when she finally got on her favorite talk show."
- Mounting: "He carefully got on the horse and prepared for the ride."
Grammar Patterns
Get on is an intransitive phrasal verb in most of its senses, meaning it does not take a direct object (you don't "get on something" in the sense of a relationship). However, when talking about transport, it acts as a prepositional verb where the "on" links to the object: "I get on the bus."
Remember that get on is highly versatile in the continuous tense. Using "getting on" is a very common way to ask someone about their status or progress in life or work.
Common Mistakes to Avoid
The most common mistake learners make is using get on for cars. Remember the rule: if you have to stand up to enter, you get on. If you have to sit down or duck your head to enter, you get in.
Another mistake is confusing get on with get along. In some dialects, particularly in American English, people often use "get along" to describe a good relationship. However, "get on" is perfectly acceptable and widely used in British English to mean the exact same thing.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is "get on" formal or informal?
Get on is generally informal or conversational. In a formal report or an academic paper, you might prefer words like "board" (for transport), "progress" (for development), or "mature" (for aging).
Can I say "get on" for a bicycle?
Yes! Because you mount a bicycle similarly to a horse, get on is the correct choice.
Does "get on" always mean the same thing?
No, as shown above, it changes meaning based on the context. Always look at the surrounding words—like "well" for relationships or "midnight" for time—to identify the intended meaning.
Is it ever "gotten on"?
Yes, if you are using the past participle. For example: "I have gotten on so much better since I started studying regularly." Note that "gotten" is more common in American English, while British English speakers typically use "got."
Conclusion
The phrasal verb get on is an essential tool in your English vocabulary kit. By understanding these different contexts—from boarding a bus to describing a deep friendship—you can sound more natural and precise. Start by practicing just one of these meanings in your next conversation, and soon you will find yourself using get on with total confidence.