word 'get to'

Question

Can we say like this "if you want to meet me you have to get to the garden at the right time" or "let us help her so that she can get to the seminar on time"

Is get to = reach? Is the word "get to" used properly on the above sentences?

KJinCali79 · Accepted Answer

One definition of "get" is "to arrive at or reach."   In the examples above it is not linked to "to" at all.  To is merely functioning as a preposition.

Wonder123 · Answer

Ok thanks, are the above sentences grammatically correct? if get = to arrive at or reach, then should we remove "to" from the sentence?

for ex: if you want to meet me you have to reach the garden at the right time
if you want to meet me you have to get the garden at the right time

RandomGuy · Answer

Wonder123should we remove "to" from the sentence?

No. It functions as complement to the verb get. An exception is get home (never *get to home).

Fivejedjon · Answer

KJinCali79One definition of "get" is "to arrive at or reach."

Where did you find that definition?

Wonder123 · Answer

So the the following two sentences are grammatically correct, right? and we can replace "reach" with "get to" where ever needed?

"if you want to meet me you have to get to the garden at the right time" and "let us help her so that she can get to the seminar on time"

KJinCali79 · Answer

fivejedjonKJinCali79One definition of "get" is "to arrive at or reach."Where did you find that definition?

It was in a few dictionaries I consulted. One example is the Merriam-Webster Dictionary, but this is a common intransitive use of get, differing from the transitive uses that generally mean to obtain or something along those lines.

It does not necessarily have to be reaching a physical place either, such as "get to the party" or "got into the car" it can be reaching/arriving at a certain state, such as "I could not get to sleep last night."

There is also the phrasal verb "get to" meaning begin something. "I will get to cleaning the floors after breakfast." However, this is not the usage in the original post.

Fivejedjon · Answer

One definition of "get" is "to arrive at or reach."

KJinCali79It was in a few dictionaries I consulted.

I doubt it. One definition of 'get to' might be 'arrive at' or 'reach'. Please be careful when you report definitions. Mis-reporting can cause confusion,

KJinCali79 · Answer

fivejedjonOne definition of 'get to' might be 'arrive at' or 'reach'.

It was the definition the original poster was using. And it is a valid definition. It's not the only definition.

KJinCali79 · Answer

fivejedjonKJinCali79It was in a few dictionaries I consulted.I doubt it.

Oxford Dictionary U.S.
get - move or come into a specified position, situation, or state. She got into the car.
come, go, or make progress eventually. I got to the airport.

Merriam Webster Dictionary
get (intr. v.) - to reach or enter a certain condition, to succeed in coming or going

American Heritage Dictionary
get (intr v.) - to be successful in coming or going. When will we get to Dallas.
get (v tr) -- to arrive at, reach. When did you get home?
to reach and board, catch. She got her plane two minutes before takeoff.

Fivejedjon · Answer

I think I have pontificatKJinCali79 ft.Oxford Dictionary U.S.get - move or come into a specified position, situation, or state. She got into the car.come, go, or make progress eventually. I got to the airport.Merriam Webster Dictionaryget (intr. v.) - to reach or enter a certain condition, to succeed in coming or goingAmerican Heritage Dictionaryget (intr v.) - to be successful in coming or going. When will we get to Dallas. get (v tr) -- to arrive at, reach. When did you get home?to reach and board, catch. She got her plane two minutes before takeoff.

The point is, KJC, that (apart from 'home' and the definition 'reach and board, catch') a preposition (to/into) is required after 'get' and not after 'reach'.

The only definition in your list there that specifically supports your claim that "the definition of "get" is "to arrive at or reachI" is the final one in the specific contexts of 'home' and 'plane', Personally, I think this is misleading when we are taking about
Wonder 123's original question, " Can we remove 'to' from the sentence?"

I think I have said enough on the subject.

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