got to him

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "got to him" is correct and usable in written English.
It is typically used to indicate that something has emotionally affected or influenced someone. Example: "The news of his friend's passing really got to him, and he struggled to hold back his tears."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Sports

General Communication

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

58 human-written examples

Somebody got to him.

The New York Times - Sports

We just got to him".

The New York Times - Sports

Sandy got to him, though.

The New York Times - Arts

But the pain got to him Saturday.

The New York Times - Sports

Eventually, the cold weather got to him.

The New Yorker

It got to him".

The New York Times - Sports

Yep, that got to him.

The Guardian - Books

We eventually got to him.

The Guardian

But I got to him first.

The New York Times - Travel

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

2 human-written examples

Did lobbyists get to him?

The New Yorker

I simply have to get to him.

The New York Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "got to him" when you want to convey that someone was emotionally affected or influenced by something. It is particularly effective in narrative contexts to describe a shift in someone's state of mind or behavior.

Common error

Avoid using "got to him" in purely physical or logistical contexts. The phrase implies an emotional or psychological impact, not merely reaching someone physically.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "got to him" functions as an idiomatic expression indicating that someone or something had a significant emotional or psychological impact on a person. Ludwig AI confirms its common usage.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

40%

Sports

30%

General Communication

15%

Less common in

Formal & Business

5%

Science

5%

Encyclopedias

5%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "got to him" is a common idiomatic expression used to indicate that someone was emotionally or psychologically affected by something. Ludwig AI confirms its grammatical correctness and frequent use. It's most prevalent in news and media contexts, followed by sports and general communication. While generally versatile, it's crucial to consider the emotional weight and avoid using it in purely physical scenarios. Alternatives like "affected him" or "influenced him" can provide a more formal tone when needed. By understanding these nuances, writers can effectively use "got to him" to convey the intended emotional impact.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

affected him

Focuses on the emotional or psychological impact.

had an effect on him

A more general way of indicating influence or impact.

influenced him

Highlights the persuasive or guiding effect on someone.

had an impact on him

Stresses the significant effect on someone's feelings or actions.

reached him

Emphasizes making contact or communication.

exerted influence on him

Emphasizes the active application of persuasive power.

swayed him

Suggests a change in opinion or decision.

convinced him

Indicates successful persuasion.

gained access to him

Focuses on obtaining the opportunity to interact or influence.

penetrated his defenses

Highlights overcoming emotional or mental barriers.

FAQs

What does "got to him" mean?

The phrase "got to him" means that someone was emotionally affected, influenced, or reached in a significant way. It implies that something had an impact on their feelings or state of mind.

When is it appropriate to use the phrase "got to him"?

Use "got to him" when describing how a person was emotionally impacted by an event, news, or another person's actions. It's suitable for conveying a sense of being moved or influenced.

What are some alternatives to saying "got to him"?

Alternatives include "affected him", "influenced him", or "had an impact on him depending on the specific nuance you want to convey".

Is "got to him" formal or informal?

"Got to him" is generally considered informal but acceptable in most conversational and narrative contexts. For more formal writing, consider using alternatives like "influenced him" or "affected him".