getting

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "getting" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used in various contexts, often to indicate the process of obtaining or becoming something. Example: "I am getting tired of waiting for the bus."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Sport

Lifestyle

Travel

Film

Music

Arts

Money

Opinion

Education

Books

Business

Politics

Society

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

The EU may be getting the booby prize for peace because it sure hasn't created prosperity.

The Guardian

I am for getting people from my background to vote".

The Guardian - Sport

Related: Is your degree course getting you down?

The Guardian

That doesn't mean getting out of print, but it does require a greater focus of attention, imagination and resource on the various forms that digital future is likely to take".

The Guardian

"If you want to stop Ed Miliband and the SNP from getting into power and wrecking our economy... and if you want me back on work on Friday working through our long-term economic plan as your prime minister then it is vital that you vote Conservative," Cameron said.

The Guardian

I'm already looking forward to getting the 2015-16 season underway".

The Guardian - Sport

Nobody has a bigger interest in getting them released than I do," Clinton told reporters during a campaign stop in Iowa.

The Guardian

We're getting officers to trains still stalled where possible.

The Guardian

Equally menswear is busy getting its flounce on.

The Guardian - Lifestyle

Selfridges recently announced that it was getting rid of gendered floors and would just have three floors of fashion merchandised together so that customers could shop according to an expression of "self".

The Guardian - Lifestyle

Getting there EasyJet (easyjet.com) has flights from six UK airports from around £34.

The Guardian - Travel

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "getting" to describe a process or state of change, emphasizing the dynamic nature of the action. For example, "getting better" suggests improvement over time.

Common error

Avoid using "getting" excessively in formal writing. Opt for more precise and sophisticated alternatives like "acquiring", "obtaining", or "becoming" to maintain a professional tone.

Linguistic Context

The primary grammatical function of "getting" is as a present participle of the verb 'get'. It is used in continuous verb tenses (e.g., "I am getting") and as a gerund (e.g., "Getting started is the hardest part"). Ludwig AI confirms its role in various sentence structures.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

65%

Sport

10%

Lifestyle

7%

Less common in

Travel

3%

Film

3%

Arts

2%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The term "getting" functions primarily as a present participle, indicating a process of acquiring, becoming, or arriving. As indicated by Ludwig AI, it is grammatically sound and commonly used. While "getting" is versatile and frequently found in news and media, sports and lifestyle content, it is less common in more formal academic or scientific writing where precise alternatives might be preferred. To enhance your writing, consider the context and opt for more formal synonyms when appropriate, while embracing "getting" for its natural and dynamic expression in everyday language.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

Obtaining

Focuses specifically on the act of acquiring or receiving something.

Acquiring

Similar to obtaining, but often implies a gradual or effortful process.

Receiving

Emphasizes the act of being given something.

Becoming

Highlights the process of transforming into a particular state or condition.

Arriving at

Focuses on reaching a destination or conclusion.

Procuring

Suggests obtaining something with effort, often something difficult to get.

Securing

Implies making something safe or certain by obtaining it.

Earning

Highlights obtaining something through effort or merit.

Developing

Focuses on the gradual process of growth or improvement.

Experiencing

Emphasizes the act of undergoing or encountering something.

FAQs

How can I use "getting" in a sentence?

You can use "getting" to describe obtaining something (e.g., "I am getting a new car"), becoming something (e.g., "It's getting late"), or arriving at a place (e.g., "We are getting to the airport").

What can I say instead of "getting"?

You can use alternatives like "obtaining", "acquiring", "receiving", or "becoming" depending on the context.

Which is correct, "getting better" or "becoming better"?

Both "getting better" and "becoming better" are correct, but "getting better" is more informal and common in everyday conversation, while "becoming better" is more formal.

What's the difference between "getting to" and "arriving at"?

"Getting to" is more informal and general, while "arriving at" is more formal and specific, often used to describe reaching a particular destination or conclusion.