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Difference Between Get and Got in English Grammar

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Easy Examples of Get and Got in Sentences

Understanding the difference between "get" and "got" is essential for clear English communication. These verbs are used in school exams, competitive tests, and everyday conversation. Knowing when to use "get" and when to use "got" helps avoid common grammar mistakes and boosts your confidence in writing and speaking English.


Word Tense Main Meaning Example Sentence
Get Present To receive or obtain I get good marks in English.
Got Past Received or obtained (in the past) I got your message yesterday.

Difference between Get and Got

The main difference between "get" and "got" is tense. "Get" is used for actions happening now or regularly. "Got" shows something happened in the past. Using these verbs correctly improves writing and helps in school and exams.


How to Use "Get" in English

"Get" is the base form and present tense. Use "get" when something is happening now or repeatedly. It means to receive, obtain, become, or arrive. "Get" is used with I/we/you/they and he/she/it forms ("gets" for singular). Practice helps remember the correct use.


Examples of "Get" in Sentences

  • I get up at 6 am every day. (routine)
  • They get their homework checked at school. (receive)
  • We get tired after running. (become tired)
  • She gets a gift every birthday. (obtain)

How to Use "Got" in English

"Got" is the simple past tense of "get." Use "got" for actions that finished in the past. It can also be used in the present perfect ("have got") to show possession, mostly in British English. Remember, with "did" in past questions, always use "get," not "got."


Examples of "Got" in Sentences

  • I got a prize in last year's competition.
  • She got very angry yesterday.
  • They got home late from the party.
  • We got your email this morning.

Get vs Got: Quick Reference Table

Form Tense When to Use Example
Get Present Current, repeated, or future actions Do you get many calls?
Got Past Completed actions in the past Did you get my letter? (Not "Did you got")
Have got Present/Perfect (especially UK) To show possession I have got two brothers.

Common Mistakes and Tips for Students

  • Do not use "got" after "did" in questions or negatives. Correct: "Did you get it?" Not: "Did you got it?"
  • "Have got" is common in British English to show possession; "have" is often used in American English.
  • For past actions, always use "got": "We got gifts at school last week."
  • In Hindi or Telugu, direct translation often confuses tense. Pay attention to English tense markers.

Practical Usage and More Examples

Use "get" for now or regular actions, and "got" for finished events. Practice by making your own examples using these verbs. This skill is useful in speaking, writing, and exams.


  • Get: I get emails every day. (present)
  • Got: I got an email yesterday. (past)
  • Get: She gets nervous before exams.
  • Got: She got nervous before the test last week.
  • Get: They get new books at the start of the year.
  • Got: They got new books last month.

Practice Questions: Choose Get or Got

Sentence Blank Answer
I _____ a new bicycle for my birthday last year. get/got got
She always _____ good marks in English. get/got gets
Did you _____ my message? get/got get
We _____ late for the meeting yesterday. get/got got
They _____ up early every morning. get/got get

Related Grammar Topics and Further Study


In summary, "get" and "got" are essential verbs in English grammar. "Get" is for present or regular actions, while "got" is for past actions. Understanding their difference helps you avoid errors in exams and daily use. Practice more examples to master their use. At Vedantu, we make learning tricky grammar topics simple and effective for every student.

FAQs on Difference Between Get and Got in English Grammar

1. What is the main difference between "get" and "got" in English?

The primary difference between get and got lies in their tense. Get is the present tense form, indicating obtaining or receiving something currently. Got is the past tense form, showing that something was obtained or received previously.

2. Can I use "got" instead of "get" in sentences?

You can use "got" instead of "get" but only when referring to the past tense. Using "got" in the present tense is grammatically incorrect. For example, "I got a new phone yesterday" (correct), but "I got a new phone now" (incorrect - use "I get a new phone now").

3. Which is correct: "Did you get" or "Did you got"?

"Did you get" is correct. "Did you got" is grammatically incorrect because "got" is already the past participle. The auxiliary verb "did" already indicates past tense. The correct structure of the question uses the past tense of the auxiliary verb and the base form of the main verb.

4. How do I use "get" and "got" in present and past tense?

Use get for the present tense to express obtaining, receiving, or becoming something. Use got for the past tense. Examples: Present: I get the bus to work. Past: I got a good grade on the test.

5. What are some example sentences using "get" and "got"?

Here are some examples: Present Tense (get): I get up early every morning. I get a new book every month. Past Tense (got): I got home late last night. I got a surprise from my parents.

6. Where do we use got and get?

Get is used in the present tense to express obtaining, receiving, or becoming something. Got is used in the past tense for the same actions. The choice depends on whether the action happened in the present or the past.

7. When to use get it and got it?

"Get it" is used in the present tense, showing understanding or obtaining something now. "Got it" is the past tense equivalent, signifying understanding or obtaining something in the past. Both are informal.

8. When can I use got in a sentence?

Use "got" in a sentence when referring to an action completed in the past. It's the past tense form of "get." For instance, "I got my results yesterday." However, avoid using it in present tense contexts.

9. When can I use got in a sentence?

Use "got" to describe a past action of obtaining, receiving, or becoming something. For example: "I got a new job." It is the past tense of "get." Avoid using it where present tense is required.

10. How does the meaning of "got" change in American versus British English?

In American English, "gotten" is sometimes used as the past participle of "get," while British English primarily uses "got." The core meaning remains the same; the difference lies in the grammatical form.

11. When is "gotten" used instead of "got"?

"Gotten" is mainly used in American English as the past participle of "get," particularly in the present perfect tense (e.g., "I have gotten used to it"). In British English, "got" is preferred in all tenses.

12. Why is "Did you got" always incorrect in English grammar?

"Did you got" is incorrect because "did" is an auxiliary verb that already denotes past tense. Since "got" is also a past tense form, the sentence is redundant and grammatically incorrect. Correct usage would be "Did you get...?"

13. What is the difference between "have got" and "have" for possession?

"Have got" (or "has got") is an informal way of expressing possession in British English, equivalent to "have." Both convey ownership. "Have" is the standard and more formal option, commonly used in both American and British English.

14. How can translation from Hindi or Telugu cause mistakes with "get" and "got"?

Direct translation from Hindi or Telugu might not always accurately reflect the nuances of tense in English. What might be a single word in these languages could translate into either get or got depending on the context, leading to mistakes if not carefully considered.

15. Are "get" and "got" ever used as auxiliary verbs?

While primarily main verbs, "get" and "got" can function as auxiliary verbs in certain phrases. For example, in "I'm getting ready," "getting" helps form the continuous aspect; in "I got to go," "got to" indicates obligation, though this usage is informal.