Meaning trap
get in
enter or arrive
to enter a place, vehicle, or building, or to arrive somewhere, especially after traveling.
Don't mix these meanings
Same phrase, different job.
to enter a place, vehicle, or building, or to arrive somewhere, especially after traveling.
Another meaning of 'get in' is 'be elected or accepted'; compare the examples to keep the meanings separate.
Hear it in context
Notice where the phrase sounds natural.
- What time did you get in last night?daily life
- I usually get in around 7 p.m. after work, so I have time to relax before dinner.IELTS speaking
Fix the pattern
Pattern: get in (to something) | get in (time/place)
WrongWe got in to the house at ten.
RightWe got in at ten. / got into the house at ten.
Bare 'get in' = arrive; to name the place use 'get into the house'.
Patternget in (to something) | get in (time/place)
Use it right
Choose the version that sounds natural in speech.
'Get in' is the everyday verb for arriving home/somewhere; the formal version is a witness statement.
Build natural chunks
Words that usually travel with it.
get in + timelateat tenearlythe car
Don't confuse it
'Get on' is used for larger vehicles like buses and trains, while 'get in' is for cars and taxis.
Related
- get in (be elected or accepted) — Another meaning of 'get in' is 'be elected or accepted'; compare the examples to keep the meanings separate.