Get vs Got | Difference Between Get and Got

The words Get and Got are often used in the English Language, but they are not exactly the same. These words have different meanings and are used in different contexts.

Meaning of Get

Get is a verb that means to obtain, acquire or receive something. It also is used to indicate a change of state or to express a variety of other meanings.

Usage of Get

1. Get is used to indicate a change of state – “I’m getting tired.”
2. Get is used to indicate a physical or emotional response – “I get nervous before public speaking.”
3. Get is used to indicate an action – “I need to get some groceries.”
4. Get is used to indicate a request or order – “Can you get me a glass of water?”

Examples of Get

1.  I need to get some milk from the store.
2.  Can you help me get this box off the shelf?
3. She wants to get a promotion at work.
4. He always tries to get the best deal when shopping.

Meaning of Got

Got is the past tense and past participle of the verb “get”. It is used to indicate that someone has obtained or received something in the past. 

Usage of Got

• As the past tense and past participle of  Get – “I got a new job last week.”
• Got is used to indicate possession or ownership – “I’ve got a car.”
• Got is used to indicate obligation or necessity – “I’ve got to go to work.”
• Got is used to indicate a successful or desired outcome – “I’ve got the promotion I wanted.”

Examples of Got

1. They got married last weekend.
2. He got a promotion at work.
3. I got a new phone yesterday.
4. We got lost on the way to the airport.

Difference between Get and Got

Basis of Comparison	Get	Got
Usage in Tense	Present Tense	Past Tense, Past participle
Meaning	Acquire something, understand something	past of “get” means acquired something previously, and understood something
Usage in speech	Used in direct speech	Used in indirect speech
Examples	I get the book from Kushal.	He got the book from a competition.

Conclusion

We can conclude by saying that, though the words “get” and “got” mean the same thing, but they can’t be used interchangeably.