Take and Get
2020-10-03
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1This week, we received the same question from a fan in Italy and another in Brazil.
2But, we are sure the question is shared by even more English learners-so let's answer it!
3Could I know the different meanings of "take" and "get?"
4Thanks -Bruna, Italy.
5Hello. Good Evening...
6I would like to know the difference between the words "get" and "take?" And how can I use them in a sentence? -Arthur, Brazil.
7Dear Bruna and Arthur,
8Thanks for writing to us.
9The main difference between these two words concerns 'who' is performing the action.
10"Get" and "take" are verbs.
11"Get" means to gain possession of something.
12Another word for get is obtain.
13The word "receive" can also sometimes substitute for "get."
14Ellen got the new bike on her birthday.
15"Take" means "to move or carry something from one place to another."
16Ellen takes her new bike everywhere she needs to go.
17"Take" often suggests to gain possession of something by force, illegally or unfairly.
18Then it is similar to verbs like "seize" and "capture."
19The military took control of the country after the soldiers rebelled.
20Take is also often used more idiomatically, as well, in providing directions to a place. For example:
21Jack's store is on Robbins Road.
22Take 4th Street for a mile and you will see it.
23In that case, take means "use" or "follow."
24Confusingly, "take" can also be used similar to the verb "give," like in this sentence:
25Michael takes care of Jennifer's dog.
26In that case, the speaker means Michael is the person responsible for meeting the dog's needs.
27He is the caregiver to the dog.
28Finally, "take" is often used in connection with expressions of time. For example:
29Ellie takes 30 minutes to get ready for work.
30That sentence has the exact same meaning as "Ellie spends 30 minutes to get ready for work."
31"Get" also is common to idiomatic expressions.
32It often substitutes for the verbs "understand" and "know." Listen to this sentence:
33I get that we have to learn math but I do not like it.
34Sometimes that usage clearly suggests a speaker's impatience or frustration.
35"I get it, Mom! I have to clean my room today."
36Finally, "get" is a common substitute for verbs "feel," "become," or "start," among others. Here are some examples:
37I'm going to leave for lunch when I get hungry.
38She gets sad on rainy days.
39He left the show when the music got loud.
40There are many more idiomatic uses of "get" and "take."
41Look for them whenever you get to practice your English! We are sure to take up the subject again.
42And that's Ask a Teacher for this week.
43What question do you have about American English? Send us an email at learningenglish@voanews.com
44I'm Jill Robbins.
45And I'm Gregory Stachel.
1This week, we received the same question from a fan in Italy and another in Brazil. But, we are sure the question is shared by even more English learners-so let's answer it! 2Question: 3Could I know the different meanings of "take" and "get?" 4Thanks -Bruna, Italy. 5Hello. Good Evening... 6I would like to know the difference between the words "get" and "take?" And how can I use them in a sentence? -Arthur, Brazil. 7Answer: 8Dear Bruna and Arthur, 9Thanks for writing to us. The main difference between these two words concerns 'who' is performing the action. 10Overall difference 11"Get" and "take" are verbs. 12"Get" means to gain possession of something. Another word for get is obtain. The word "receive" can also sometimes substitute for "get." 13Ellen got the new bike on her birthday. 14"Take" means "to move or carry something from one place to another." 15Ellen takes her new bike everywhere she needs to go. 16"Take" often suggests to gain possession of something by force, illegally or unfairly. Then it is similar to verbs like "seize" and "capture." 17The military took control of the country after the soldiers rebelled. 18Take 19Take is also often used more idiomatically, as well, in providing directions to a place. For example: 20Jack's store is on Robbins Road. Take 4th Street for a mile and you will see it. 21In that case, take means "use" or "follow." 22Confusingly, "take" can also be used similar to the verb "give," like in this sentence: 23Michael takes care of Jennifer's dog. 24In that case, the speaker means Michael is the person responsible for meeting the dog's needs. He is the caregiver to the dog. 25Finally, "take" is often used in connection with expressions of time. For example: 26Ellie takes 30 minutes to get ready for work. 27That sentence has the exact same meaning as "Ellie spends 30 minutes to get ready for work." 28Get 29"Get" also is common to idiomatic expressions. It often substitutes for the verbs "understand" and "know." Listen to this sentence: 30I get that we have to learn math but I do not like it. 31Sometimes that usage clearly suggests a speaker's impatience or frustration. 32"I get it, Mom! I have to clean my room today." 33Finally, "get" is a common substitute for verbs "feel," "become," or "start," among others. Here are some examples: 34I'm going to leave for lunch when I get hungry. 35She gets sad on rainy days. 36He left the show when the music got loud. 37There are many more idiomatic uses of "get" and "take." Look for them whenever you get to practice your English! We are sure to take up the subject again. 38And that's Ask a Teacher for this week. 39What question do you have about American English? Send us an email at learningenglish@voanews.com 40I'm Jill Robbins. 41And I'm Gregory Stachel. 42Gregory Stachel and Jill Robbins wrote this story for VOA Learning English. Caty Weaver was the editor. 43_________________________________________________________________ 44Words in This Story 45literal - adj. giving the meaning of each individual word 46idiomatic - adj. an expression that cannot be understood from the meanings of its separate words but that has a separate meaning of its own 47Do you have a question for the teacher? We want to hear from you. Write to us in the Comments Section or send us an email at learningenglish@voanews.com.