Have and Get Expressions
Common expressions: have a look, have a rest, get ready, get lost
When to Use Have and Get Expressions
- •HAVE + noun for activities: have a look, have a rest, have a shower, have a chat.
- •HAVE + noun for food/drink: have breakfast, have a coffee, have a snack.
- •GET + adjective for change of state: get ready, get tired, get angry, get lost.
- •GET + past participle: get married, get dressed, get divorced.
- •GET = become/receive: get a job, get a present, get better.
How to Form Have and Get Expressions
Affirmative (+)
Have + a/an + noun; Get + adjective/past participle
Negative (-)
Don't have + noun; Don't get + adjective
Question (?)
Did you have a...? Did you get...?
💡 British: have a shower/bath. American: take a shower/bath.
Examples of Have and Get Expressions
✓Let me have a look at that.
✗Let me do a look at that.
Have a look is a fixed expression.
✓I need to get ready for work.
✗I need to become ready for work.
Get + adjective for change of state.
✓They got married last year.
✗They became married last year.
Get married is the standard expression.
Common Mistakes with Have and Get Expressions
💡 Practice Tips for Have and Get Expressions
- • HAVE + a + noun: have a look, have a try, have a think, have a break.
- • GET + adjective: get tired, get hungry, get bored, get excited.
- • GET + past participle: get married, get dressed, get paid.
- • These are very common in spoken English.
Quick Quiz
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