get from

IPA/ɡˈɛt fɹɒm/
IPA/ɡˈɛt fɹʌm/

get from — phrasal verb

  • get frombase form
  • gets from3rd person singular
  • getting from-ing form
  • got frompast simple
  • gotten frompast participle

1. to receive something because a person, group, or service passes it on to you

1.phrasal verbtransitiveB1
Definition

to receive something because a person, group, or service passes it on to you

Example

Ari got a birthday card from his aunt in Kaohsiung yesterday.

get [thing] from [person] by receiving it

The school got new science books from a charity in Tainan.

get [thing] from an organization

Common collocations
  • get a card from
  • get an email from
  • get a parcel from
  • get a reply from
Synonyms
  • receive

    the closest neutral verb for being given or sent something

  • be sent

    used when the focus is on something arriving through mail or delivery

  • be given

    stresses another person handing or offering the thing to you

Antonyms
  • send

    describes the opposite direction, from the giver to the receiver

Grammar Patterns

get [thing] from [person]

get [thing] from [organization/service]

Usage Note

The object is the thing you receive, and the phrase after 'from' names the sender or provider. This sense is about something being passed on to you, not about buying it at a place or gaining it as a result.

Common Mistakes

I got from my teacher a note this morning.
I got a note from my teacher this morning.
the thing received usually comes before the 'from' phrase.
She got a package of her cousin last week.
She got a package from her cousin last week.
use 'from' to show who sent or gave it.

2. to buy, pick up, or otherwise obtain something from a shop, website, desk, machi

2.phrasal verbtransitiveB1
Definition

to buy, pick up, or otherwise obtain something from a shop, website, desk, machine, or other place

Example

Rohan got fresh mangoes from the market before the rain started.

get [thing] from a market

We got these chairs from a small store near the station.

get [thing] from a shop

Common collocations
  • get tickets from
  • get food from
  • get furniture from
  • get a map from the desk
Synonyms
  • buy

    best when money is clearly involved

  • pick up

    common when you collect something quickly from a place

  • obtain

    more formal and broader than buying

Grammar Patterns

get [thing] from [shop/market]

get [thing] from [website/machine/desk]

Usage Note

Here the phrase after 'from' usually names the place, machine, website, or desk where you obtained the thing. Distinguish from sense 1, where the source is mainly a sender or giver rather than a place of purchase or collection.

Common Mistakes

We got these tickets to the station machine.
We got these tickets from the station machine.
use 'from' to show the place or device that supplied them.
She got the lamp to that shop yesterday.
She got the lamp from that shop yesterday.
after 'get', use 'from' to name the source place.

3. to receive a benefit, idea, feeling, or effect because something produced it

3.phrasal verbtransitiveB1
Definition

to receive a benefit, idea, feeling, or effect because something produced it

Example

Christopher got real confidence from singing in front of the class.

get confidence from an activity

We got several new ideas from the workshop last Saturday.

get ideas from an event

Common collocations
  • get ideas from
  • get comfort from
  • get feedback from
  • get a headache from
Synonyms
  • gain

    good for benefits, skill, or confidence received from an experience

  • learn

    best when the result is knowledge or understanding

  • take away

    often used for the main lesson or impression left by an event

Antonyms
  • miss out on

    means you fail to receive the benefit or lesson that was available

Grammar Patterns

get [benefit/idea/feeling] from [activity]

get [effect] from [cause]

Usage Note

The phrase after 'from' names the cause, activity, or experience that produced the result. Unlike sense 1, nobody is handing you something directly, and unlike sense 2, the source is not mainly a place where you picked something up.

Common Mistakes

He got a headache by the heat.
He got a headache from the heat.
use 'from' to show the cause of the effect.
I got from the course many new ideas.
I got many new ideas from the course.
the result usually comes before the 'from' phrase.

Etymology

English

This phrase combines the very common verb 'get' with the preposition 'from' to point to the source of something. Speakers use it not only for receiving objects from people, but also for obtaining things from places and for gaining ideas, feelings, or effects from experiences or causes.