In this blog, I’m going to explain when to use
GET INTO
GET OUT OF
and
GET ON
GET OFF
By the end, you will understand just how to describe traveling by almost every mode of transport.
Imagine that!
But first, I suppose I need to apologize to my existing students.
Yes. At this early point, I have to make a confession.
Up until today, I´ve always taught these four phrasal verbs by dividing the modes of transport into two separate categories.
Category 1: cars
Category 2: everything else.
It was too easy.
And I was wrong.
I apologize. (Actually, as you will notice, it was ALMOST right).
And this is my chance to right a wrong.
Let’s match the verb to get up with one of the following prepositions and get moving!
In(to)
Out (of)
On
Off
GET INTO
Next, let’s introduce two ideas. And we’re going to do it with the verb to get and the preposition in or into when we mention the mode of transport.
So, when do we use this verb, and more importantly, with which modes of transport?
Good question!
Let me start by saying that the verb we use depends very much on how we move as we are “boarding” the particular mode of transport. When we get into something, we leave a large open space and enter or fit our bodies into a much narrower space which in many cases is a bit tricky to do. Yes. There is an element of discomfort.
Think cars, boats, helicopters, and maybe even the cab of a truck.
Small spaces.
You might have to contort your body as a circus performer would to “enter” or get into these places. And remember, when you enter these modes of transport, you are IN them, so logically, we use the phrasal verb to get in.
So, when you take a taxi, you get into it. If you are transporting coronavirus vaccines around the country by truck, then you will need to get into the cab of your truck before you can leave.
Got it?
GET OUT OF
In short, get out of if the opposite of get into.
Obviously, you are not going to stay in a small, enclosed space for your whole life.
I hope.
So, how can I help you to remember what getting out of a mode of transport involves? Well, you start off in a very restricted space, (let’s say a canoe), and leave it to enter a much wider and more open space.
If you are a famous actor, you might get out of a limousine when you get to a movie premiere. (If you haven´t drunk too much champagne beforehand, that is.)
If you are not quite that famous but don´t like driving, you might get out of a taxi when you need to go somewhere.
The rest of us will get out of our cars.
If you are Madonna or Mariah Carey, you can get out of a helicopter.
Personally, I prefer a private jet, but we´ll deal with our next phrasal verb…
GET ON
Where do I start?
At the beginning.
So, before you actually board any of these forms of transport, you need to raise your foot. And move your body in an upward direction.
Some people use the verb to board. This is often used with trains and buses.
With some forms of transport, such as ships or aircraft, you could use to embark.
But honestly, why bother, when you can use one phrasal verb for everything and sound completely native while you are doing it: get on!
The preposition to explain where we are when we use transport is a good way to remember which verb to use. For many modes of transport, the preposition in question is ON.
You can be ON the bus, ON the train, ON a tram, ON the metro, ON a motorbike, ON a ship, ON a plane, ON A HORSE… (if you in that horsey, aristocratic circle).
So, logically, the phrasal verb we use to describe “entering” these modes of transport will also use the preposition on.
You get on the bus.
You get on the train.
You get on a ship.
You get on a horse if you are a jockey.
You get on a motorbike if you are a biker. (motero for my Spanish friends)
GET OFF
Clearly then, the opposite of getting on a mode of transport is to get off.
The action of getting off a mode of transport usually involves taking a step in a downward direction. In other words, moving from a higher position to a lower one by taking a step.
That sounds a bit complicated, so let´s look at some real-life examples:
When a horserace is over, the jockey gets off his or her horse. (Yes! There are female jockeys!)
When a biker gets home after a long ride, he or she gets off his or her motorbike. (There are also female bikers)
When you take a flight, you get off the plane when it lands. (If you are very lucky).
When you take a cruise, you get off the cruise ship when it docks in port.
What have we learned?
Well, there are lots of modes of transport.
We use the verb to get with most of them.
And one of four prepositions.
If I’m honest, on and off are used for the majority of these modes of transport. And in the second group of smaller spaces which are more complicated to “enter”, we use in(to) and out of.
When in doubt, ask yourself where you are when using any form of transport, and that is the preposition you should use with the verb to get. You will be in a car, a boat, a helicopter, or a truck. You´ll need to use get in(to) and logically get out of these modes of transport. You will on an airplane, a ship, a train, a bus, a motorbike, a bicycle or a horse. You get on and off these.
Re-read this article.
Note down any words you didn´t know.
Add them to your phone as notes.
Write sentences.
Record yourself reading them.
Listen to what you have recorded.
Practise! practise! practise!
Never make mistakes with get into, get out of, get on, or get off ever again.
T H E L A S T W O R D
In this section, I’ll include an explanation of vocabulary from each chapter which you may not be familiar with. Learning is fun!
discomfort (n) mental or physical uneasiness
to contort (v) to twist in a violent fashion
enclosed (adj) surrounded or closed off on all sides
jockey (n) a person who rides horses in horse races for a living
biker (n) a person who rides motorbikes as a hobby
downward (adv) from a higher to a lower position
to dock (v) to come into a port or dock and be tied up
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