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Tasks: Formality and the Verb 'to Get'

Sketch of three people working on a computer and reading books.
Govva: Siren Halvorsen / CC BY-SA 4.0

Rewrite 1:


The following sentences all use the verb 'to get'. Rewrite the sentences to make them more formal and precise.

  1. We got to speak.

  2. Once they got to know each other, they became great friends.

  3. She got a new car yesterday.

  4. He gets the train to work every day.

  5. The kids can’t get at the sweets because I have put them on the top shelf.

  6. I got to go.

  7. What exactly are you getting at? I have never stolen anything in my life.

  8. My financial situation at the moment is really getting me down.

  9. Can you get me another cup of tea?

  10. I don’t get how to use this computer program.

  11. I got an email yesterday that was quite disturbing.

  12. My life got better after I met you.

Suggested key:

  1. We have to speak. / We were permitted/allowed to speak.

  2. Once they became acquainted, they became great friends.

  3. She bought/received a new car yesterday.

  4. He takes the train to work every day.

  5. The kids can’t reach the sweets because I have put them on the top shelf.

  6. I have to go.

  7. What exactly are you insinuating? I have never stolen anything in my life.

  8. My financial situation at the moment is really making me depressed.

  9. Can you bring me another cup of tea?

  10. I don’t understand how to use this computer program.

  11. I received/had an email yesterday that was quite disturbing.

  12. My life improved after I met you.


Rewrite 2:

This is a very informal text where the verb 'to get' is used many places. Rewrite the paragraph. Find other ways to convey the same idea and make the paragraph more formal.

Are you worried about getting out of touch? If so, get some of our special tablets today. Taking just one in the morning will help you get on well at work and at home. It will stop little problems from getting you down and will ensure that you get rich and successful with a minimum of effort on your behalf. Send just £25 today, and you will get your tablets and your key to success in just ten days.

Suggested key:

Are you worried about losing touch? If so, purchase/buy some of our special tablets today. Taking just one in the morning will help you succeed at work and at home. It will stop little problems from depressing you and will ensure that you become rich and successful with a minimum of effort on your behalf. Send just £25 today, and you will receive your tablets and your key to success in just ten days.


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