Phrasal verbs are extremely common in everyday English conversation, and you need to learn them if you want to better understand native speakers and make your English sound more natural.

Most phrasal verbs are composed of two words (verb + adverb or verb + preposition),  although there are also examples with three words. Furthermore, we need to point out that there are 2 main kinds of phrasal verb; separable and inseparable:

Separable

With this type, the verb and preposition can be together or apart.

They called the wedding off

OR

They called off the wedding

However, when you use a pronoun phrasal verbs are always separated.

The wedding? They called it off

Non-separable

Some phrasal verbs are not separated (even with a pronoun)

Who looks after your parents when they’re not well?

Even when there is a pronoun, the verb and particle remain together.

Who looks after them when they’re not well?

You should think of phrasal verbs as any other item of vocabulary and learn them as you come across them in context instead of long lists from books. A great way to remember phrasal verbs is though tiny clips from movies and series. That’s what we’re going to do today with 3 common phrasal verbs with Get.

1. Get along (with) 

1. This can mean that you have a good relationship with someone (or the negative)

You get along with your parents?

My father and I don’t get along

2) Another meaning of this phrasal verb is to manage a situation

I’m sure I’ll get along somehow

Well, how have you been getting along?

3) A third meaning is ‘To leave’

Get along home now. It’s late

2. Get over (something or someone)

This means that you recover from a thing or a person

Sheldon, you don’t get over the flu in half an hour

I’m pretty sure she never got over our breakup

In the spoken form you can also say get over here, which means to tell someone to come or go somewhere

Alright, just get over here please

3. Get rid of something

This means you remove someone or something because you don’t want it any more.

Alright, now let’s get rid of this

Yes, you’re right. I want to get rid of him

Now you know three phrasal verbs with Get.  Of course, there are many more, and next time we will be exploring others.  In the meantime, make sure you use the examples from today and from other phrasal verbs posts  so you can be more confident when communicating in English.