0

I can't understand the what does followings it mean. What is the role of "get" there? Why we don't use "to"?

get started - to start
get confident - to be confident
get married - to be marry

Improve this question
2
  • "Get" doesn't replace "to". You can say "I need to get started", "I want to get married", with "to get". You can also use "get" without "to", as in "I could get started", "I will get married". – rjpond Nov 13 '20 at 20:54
  • I actually wonder the "get". There is a lot of mean. What does it mean there? Why we didn't use "to"? – user123960 Nov 14 '20 at 11:40
2

This usage of “to get [adj]” is roughly equivalent to “to become [adj]”.

In the case where the adjective matches the -ed form of a verb that indicates a change of state (such as “to start”, “to marry”), it is also roughly equivalent to that verb, but with more of a focus on the change itself rather than the end result.

However, sometimes the adjective isn’t like that (such as “confident”), and there is no simpler way to say it.

Note that “to get (or become) confident” is not the same as “to be confident” because that adjective (at least by itself) doesn’t denote a change of state.

Improve this answer
3
  • Thank you. I can't understand last sentence still. Perhaps I don't know difference between become and be. – user123960 Nov 14 '20 at 10:48
  • @user123960 Your last or mine? – StephenS Nov 14 '20 at 13:48
  • Your last sentence. – user123960 Nov 14 '20 at 14:14

Your Answer

By clicking “Post Your Answer”, you agree to our terms of service, privacy policy and cookie policy

Not the answer you're looking for? Browse other questions tagged or ask your own question.