Question

1. Let's get him going.2. Let's get him go.3. You are getting me working. Are #2 and 3 correct?

GPY · Accepted Answer

#1 is possible, but it would be helpful to know in which sense you are using "going".

#2 is not correct.

#3 is possible, but not a tremendously likely thing to say. More information about the context is needed in order to possibly suggest an improvement.

Onizo · Answer

Thank you GPY.
#1 is to make a dog run or go.

#2: if this is wrong, why do you use base verbs with make: you are making him go/run.

#3: I was using in the situation where someone was making me work by requesting a lot and I had to do the work right away.

GPY · Answer

onizo#1 is to make a dog run or go.

It seems unusual to "make" a dog run. Usually dogs run of their own accord. In any case, #1 seems a rather unlikely thing to say in reference to a dog. It is not impossible if the dog is trained to do a particular task, and the owners want to start that task.

onizo#2: if this is wrong, why do you use base verbs with make: you are making him go/run.

"make" and "get" behave differently.

onizo#3: I was using in the situation where someone was making me work by requesting a lot and I had to do the work right away.

OK, then #3 is possible, albeit perhaps not the first utterance that would come to my mind in that situation. In conversation "You are" would normally be "You're".

Onizo · Answer

GPY It is not impossible if the dog is trained to do a particular task, and the owners want to start that task.

Thank you GPY.

#1: I see that you've briefly stated the meaning of the structure, but I totally can't understand the difference you were trying to suggest compared to what, and now I am not sure about its own defintion either.

Can you give me simpler sentences you would normally use with this kind of structure and the explaination of them?

#3: Is you're pronunced like 'your'? Hum...I never noticed all this years.

GPY · Answer

onizo#1: I see that you've briefly stated the meaning of the structure, but I totally can't understand the difference you were trying to suggest compared to what, and now I am not sure about its own defintion either. Can you give me simpler sentences you would normally use with this kind of structure and the explaination of them?

The phrase "Let's get noun going" is fine in itself. "going" typically will have a sense like "started" or "operating". For example: "Let's get the party going", "Let's see if we can get this old motorbike going again". The only issue with your example is what it could mean, and how much sense it makes, to get a dog "going".

onizo#3: Is you're pronunced like 'your'? Hum...I never noticed all this years.

Yes, identically. At least, it is identical in my accent, and I don't recall noticing a difference in any other accent.

Onizo · Answer

Thank you GPY.

Then let me ask something more about #2.
1. Let's get him eating
2. Let's get him eat
3. Let's make him eating
4. Let's make him eat

So, I assume that #2 and 3 are wrong. So how does this work? You can only get someone eating or make someone eat? Why can't you get someone eat or make someone eating? how are eat and eating so different that they can cross?

GPY · Answer

onizoSo, I assume that #2 and 3 are wrong.

Yes.

onizo So how does this work?

As I mentioned, it is just a consequence of the different behaviour of the verbs "get" and "make". I don't know any other answer. Maybe there is an explanation deep in the historical roots of English, but I don't know what that might be. It is like asking why we say "I helped him do his homework" but not "I asked him do his homework". It's just the way it is.

By the way, "Let's get him to eat" is also possible.

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