If you continue skipping school, you will get into trouble / be in trouble.

Question

Hello everyone,I am wondering if there is any difference between these two sentences:1) If you continue skipping school, you will get into trouble.2) If you continue skipping school, you will be in trouble.I found the definitions of the phrases above:http://idioms.thefreedictionary.com/in+troublehttps://en.wiktionary.org/wiki/get_into_troubleAnd it seems they are similar, but are they completely identical? Maybe they have different overtones?

GPY · Accepted Answer

I see no significant difference in meaning. I think I would more naturally use (1). I have a slight preference for "continue to skip school".

CalifJim · Answer

Reegis are they completely identical?

Well, no.

The words "get into" are not completely identical to the words "be in".

The meanings are quite close, however, in the given context. To my ear, "get into" suggests a possible change from "not in trouble" to "in trouble", whereas "be in" suggests the result of a sudden and inevitable change.

To my ear, "get" moves you into a new state, and "be" is where you are after being plopped right down in the new state.

Consider the difference here: The cat is getting into the box. / The cat is in the box.

CJ

Reegis · Answer

Thank you so much!

If you continue skipping school, you will get into trouble / be in trouble.

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