Get vs. Obtain: Know the Difference
By Shumaila Saeed || Updated on December 25, 2023
"Get" generally means to acquire or receive, often implying effort, while "Obtain" usually implies a formal or deliberate effort to acquire something.
Key Differences
"Get" is a versatile verb used in various contexts to imply acquiring, receiving, or becoming. It often suggests a casual or everyday action. "Obtain," however, is more formal and implies a more deliberate effort to acquire something, often through a process or procedure.
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Nov 28, 2023
In everyday speech, "get" is commonly used and understood in numerous contexts, reflecting its flexibility. "Obtain" is less common in casual conversation and is often reserved for more formal or official contexts.
Shumaila Saeed
Nov 28, 2023
"Get" can also indicate becoming or changing state, like getting tired or getting better, which is not a usage shared with "obtain." "Obtain" strictly relates to acquiring or gaining possession of something, often something tangible or concrete.
Shumaila Saeed
Nov 28, 2023
The grammatical structure surrounding "get" can vary widely, accommodating different meanings. "Obtain" typically follows a more standard structure, often used with objects representing tangible items or specific information.
Shumaila Saeed
Nov 28, 2023
"Get" can be informal and is frequently used in phrasal verbs, like "get up" or "get along," adding to its versatility. "Obtain" remains formal and straightforward, typically used in professional, academic, or legal contexts.
Shumaila Saeed
Nov 28, 2023
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Comparison Chart
Formality
Informal and versatile, used in everyday language.
Formal, often used in professional or official contexts.
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Nov 28, 2023
Usage Scope
Broad, includes acquiring, receiving, becoming.
Narrower, mainly refers to acquiring or gaining possession.
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Nov 28, 2023
Contexts
Casual, conversational, adaptable to phrasal verbs.
Formal, professional, academic, less common in casual speech.
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Nov 28, 2023
Connotation
Can imply effort, but often casually used.
Implies a deliberate, often methodical effort to acquire.
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Nov 28, 2023
Grammatical Structure
Accommodates various structures, used in diverse ways.
Typically follows standard verb-object structure, less flexible.
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Nov 28, 2023
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Get and Obtain Definitions
Obtain
Derive or receive something from a specific source.
The data was obtained from reliable sources.
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Nov 28, 2023
Obtain
Be prevalent, customary, or established.
The same rules obtain in all sports.
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Nov 28, 2023
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Obtain
Succeed in achieving or gaining access to.
He obtained permission to publish the documents.
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Nov 28, 2023
Obtain
Reach or arrive at a certain condition.
They obtained a state of peace after lengthy negotiations.
Shumaila Saeed
Nov 28, 2023
Obtain
Get, acquire, or secure something.
She managed to obtain rare stamps for her collection.
Shumaila Saeed
Nov 28, 2023
Obtain
To succeed in gaining possession of as the result of planning or endeavor; acquire.
Shumaila Saeed
Oct 19, 2023
Get
To acquire as a result of action or effort
He got his information from the internet. You can't get water out of a stone.
Shumaila Saeed
Oct 19, 2023
Obtain
To be in existence, in effect, or customary
"standards, proprieties that no longer obtain" (Meg Greenfield).
Shumaila Saeed
Oct 19, 2023
Obtain
(transitive) To get hold of; to gain possession of, to procure; to acquire, in any way.
Shumaila Saeed
Oct 19, 2023
Get
To obtain by concession or request
Couldn't get the time off.
Got permission to go.
Shumaila Saeed
Oct 19, 2023
Obtain
To secure (that) a specific objective or state of affairs be reached.
Shumaila Saeed
Oct 19, 2023
Get
To succeed in communicating with, as by telephone
Can't get me at the office until nine.
Shumaila Saeed
Oct 19, 2023
Get
To become affected with (an illness, for example) by infection or exposure; catch
Get the flu.
Got the mumps.
Shumaila Saeed
Oct 19, 2023
Obtain
To hold; to keep; to possess.
His mother, then, is mortal, but his SireHe who obtains the monarchy of heaven.
Shumaila Saeed
Oct 19, 2023
Obtain
To get hold of by effort; to gain possession of; to procure; to acquire, in any way.
Some pray for riches; riches they obtain.
By guileful fair words peace may be obtained.
It may be that I may obtain children by her.
Shumaila Saeed
Oct 19, 2023
Get
To receive as retribution or punishment
Got six years in prison for tax fraud.
Shumaila Saeed
Oct 19, 2023
Obtain
To gain or have a firm footing; to be recognized or established; to become prevalent or general; to prevail; as, the custom obtains of going to the seashore in summer.
Sobriety hath by use obtained to signify temperance in drinking.
The Theodosian code, several hundred years after Justinian's time, did obtain in the western parts of Europe.
Shumaila Saeed
Oct 19, 2023
Obtain
To prevail; to succeed.
So run that ye may obtain.
There is due from the judge to the advocate, some commendation, where causes are fair pleaded; especially towards the side which obtaineth not.
Shumaila Saeed
Oct 19, 2023
Get
To perceive or become aware of by one of the senses
Get a whiff of perfume.
Got a look at the schedule.
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Oct 19, 2023
Obtain
Receive a specified treatment (abstract);
These aspects of civilization do not find expression or receive an interpretation
His movie received a good review
I got nothing but trouble for my good intentions
Shumaila Saeed
Oct 19, 2023
Get
To procreate; beget
“Is my life given me for nothing but to get children and work to bring them up?” (D.H. Lawrence).
Shumaila Saeed
Oct 19, 2023
Get
To cause to become or be in a specified state or condition
Got the children tired and cross.
Got the shirt clean.
Shumaila Saeed
Oct 19, 2023
Get
To cause to undertake or perform; prevail on
Got the guide to give us the complete tour.
Shumaila Saeed
Oct 19, 2023
Get
To take, especially by force; seize
The detective got the suspect as he left the restaurant.
Shumaila Saeed
Oct 19, 2023
Get
To evoke an emotional response or reaction in
Romantic music really gets me.
Shumaila Saeed
Oct 19, 2023
Get
To present a difficult problem to; puzzle
“It's the suspect's indifference that gets me,” the detective said.
Shumaila Saeed
Oct 19, 2023
Get
(Informal) To hit or strike
She got him on the chin. The bullet got him in the arm.
Shumaila Saeed
Oct 19, 2023
Get
To begin or start. Used with the present participle
I have to get working on this or I'll miss my deadline.
Shumaila Saeed
Oct 19, 2023
Get
To have current possession of. Used in the present perfect form with the meaning of the present
We've got plenty of cash.
Shumaila Saeed
Oct 19, 2023
Get
(Nonstandard) To have current possession of. Used in the past tense form with the meaning of the present
They got a nice house in town.
Shumaila Saeed
Oct 19, 2023
Get
To have as an obligation. Used in the present perfect form with the meaning of the present
I have got to leave early. You've got to do the dishes.
Shumaila Saeed
Oct 19, 2023
Get
(Nonstandard) To have as an obligation. Used in the past tense with the meaning of the present
They got to clean up this mess.
Shumaila Saeed
Oct 19, 2023
Get
To be able or permitted
Never got to see Europe.
Finally got to work at home.
Shumaila Saeed
Oct 19, 2023
Get
Used with the past participle of transitive verbs as a passive voice auxiliary
Got stung by a bee.
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Oct 19, 2023
Get
To become drawn in, entangled, or involved
Got into debt.
Get into a hassle.
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Oct 19, 2023
Get
To work for gain or profit; make money
Do you feel as though you're exhausting yourself getting and not making enough for spending?.
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Oct 19, 2023
Get
(Sports) A return, as in tennis, on a shot that seems impossible to reach.
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Oct 19, 2023
Get
A document presented by a husband to his wife whereby a divorce is effected between them according to Jewish religious law.
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Oct 19, 2023
Get
(ditransitive) To obtain; to acquire.
I'm going to get a computer tomorrow from the discount store.
Lance is going to get Mary a ring.
Shumaila Saeed
Oct 19, 2023
Get
(transitive) To receive.
I got a computer from my parents for my birthday.
You need to get permission to leave early.
He got a severe reprimand for that.
Shumaila Saeed
Oct 19, 2023
Get
(transitive) To fetch, bring, take.
Can you get my bag from the living-room, please?
I need to get this to the office.
Shumaila Saeed
Oct 19, 2023
Get
(copulative) To become, or cause oneself to become.
I'm getting hungry; how about you?
I'm going out to get drunk.
Shumaila Saeed
Oct 19, 2023
Get
(transitive) To cause to become; to bring about.
That song gets me so depressed every time I hear it.
I'll get this finished by lunchtime.
I can't get these boots off (or on).
Shumaila Saeed
Oct 19, 2023
Get
(transitive) To cause to do.
Somehow she got him to agree to it.
I can't get it to work.
Shumaila Saeed
Oct 19, 2023
Get
To adopt, assume, arrive at, or progress towards (a certain position, location, state).
The actors are getting into position.
When are we going to get to London?
I'm getting into a muddle.
We got behind the wall.
Shumaila Saeed
Oct 19, 2023
Get
(transitive) To cover (a certain distance) while travelling.
To get a mile
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Oct 19, 2023
Get
(intransitive) To begin (doing something or to do something).
We ought to get moving or we'll be late.
After lunch we got chatting.
I'm getting to like him better now.
Shumaila Saeed
Oct 19, 2023
Get
(transitive) To take or catch (a scheduled transportation service).
I normally get the 7:45 train.
I'll get the 9 a.m. [flight] to Boston.
Shumaila Saeed
Oct 19, 2023
Get
(transitive) To respond to (a telephone call, a doorbell, etc).
Can you get that call, please? I'm busy.
Shumaila Saeed
Oct 19, 2023
Get
To be able, be permitted, or have the opportunity (to do something desirable or ironically implied to be desirable).
I'm so jealous that you got to see them perform live!
The finders get to keep 80 percent of the treasure.
Great. I get to clean the toilets today.
Shumaila Saeed
Oct 19, 2023
Get
To be told; be the recipient of (a question, comparison, opinion, etc.).
"You look just like Helen Mirren." / "I get that a lot."
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Oct 19, 2023
Get
(informal) To be. Used to form the passive of verbs.
He got bitten by a dog.
Shumaila Saeed
Oct 19, 2023
Get
(transitive) To become ill with or catch (a disease).
I went on holiday and got malaria.
Shumaila Saeed
Oct 19, 2023
Get
To catch out, trick successfully.
He keeps calling pretending to be my boss—it gets me every time.
Shumaila Saeed
Oct 19, 2023
Get
To bring to reckoning; to catch (as a criminal); to effect retribution.
The cops finally got me.
I'm gonna get him for that.
Shumaila Saeed
Oct 19, 2023
Get
(transitive) To hear completely; catch.
Sorry, I didn't get that. Could you repeat it?
Shumaila Saeed
Oct 19, 2023
Get
(transitive) To getter.
I put the getter into the container to get the gases.
Shumaila Saeed
Oct 19, 2023
Get
(archaic) To learn; to commit to memory; to memorize; sometimes with out.
To get a lesson;
To get out one's Greek lesson
Shumaila Saeed
Oct 19, 2023
Get
Used with a personal pronoun to indicate that someone is being pretentious or grandiose.
Get her with her new hairdo.
Shumaila Saeed
Oct 19, 2023
Get
A divorce granted by a Rabbi in accordance with Jewish law; also, the document attesting to the divorce.
Shumaila Saeed
Oct 19, 2023
Get
To procure; to obtain; to gain possession of; to acquire; to earn; to obtain as a price or reward; to come by; to win, by almost any means; as, to get favor by kindness; to get wealth by industry and economy; to get land by purchase, etc.
Shumaila Saeed
Oct 19, 2023
Get
Hence, with have and had, to come into or be in possession of; to have.
Thou hast got the face of man.
Shumaila Saeed
Oct 19, 2023
Get
To beget; to procreate; to generate.
I had rather to adopt a child than get it.
Shumaila Saeed
Oct 19, 2023
Get
To obtain mental possession of; to learn; to commit to memory; to memorize; as to get a lesson; also with out; as, to get out one's Greek lesson.
It being harder with him to get one sermon by heart, than to pen twenty.
Shumaila Saeed
Oct 19, 2023
Get
To procure to be, or to cause to be in any state or condition; - with a following participle.
Those things I bid you do; get them dispatched.
Shumaila Saeed
Oct 19, 2023
Get
To betake; to remove; - in a reflexive use.
Get thee out from this land.
He . . . got himself . . . to the strong town of Mega.
Shumaila Saeed
Oct 19, 2023
Get
To make acquisition; to gain; to profit; to receive accessions; to be increased.
We mourn, France smiles; we lose, they daily get.
Shumaila Saeed
Oct 19, 2023
Get
To arrive at, or bring one's self into, a state, condition, or position; to come to be; to become; - with a following adjective or past participle belonging to the subject of the verb; as, to get sober; to get awake; to get beaten; to get elected.
To get rid of fools and scoundrels.
His chariot wheels get hot by driving fast.
Shumaila Saeed
Oct 19, 2023
Get
Come into the possession of something concrete or abstract;
She got a lot of paintings from her uncle
They acquired a new pet
Get your results the next day
Get permission to take a few days off from work
Shumaila Saeed
Oct 19, 2023
Get
Enter or assume a certain state or condition;
He became annoyed when he heard the bad news
It must be getting more serious
Her face went red with anger
She went into ecstasy
Get going!
Shumaila Saeed
Oct 19, 2023
Get
Cause to move; cause to be in a certain position or condition;
He got his squad on the ball
This let me in for a big surprise
He got a girl into trouble
Shumaila Saeed
Oct 19, 2023
Get
Receive a specified treatment (abstract);
These aspects of civilization do not find expression or receive an interpretation
His movie received a good review
I got nothing but trouble for my good intentions
Shumaila Saeed
Oct 19, 2023
Get
Reach a destination; arrive by movement or progress;
She arrived home at 7 o'clock
She didn't get to Chicago until after midnight
Shumaila Saeed
Oct 19, 2023
Get
Go or come after and bring or take back;
Get me those books over there, please
Could you bring the wine?
The dog fetched the hat
Shumaila Saeed
Oct 19, 2023
Get
Of mental or physical states or experiences;
Get an idea
Experience vertigo
Get nauseous
Undergo a strange sensation
The chemical undergoes a sudden change
The fluid undergoes shear
Receive injuries
Have a feeling
Shumaila Saeed
Oct 19, 2023
Get
Take vengeance on or get even;
We'll get them!
That'll fix him good!
This time I got him
Shumaila Saeed
Oct 19, 2023
Get
Achieve a point or goal;
Nicklaus had a 70
The Brazilian team got 4 goals
She made 29 points that day
Shumaila Saeed
Oct 19, 2023
Get
Cause to do; cause to act in a specified manner;
The ads induced me to buy a VCR
My children finally got me to buy a computer
My wife made me buy a new sofa
Shumaila Saeed
Oct 19, 2023
Get
Succeed in catching or seizing, especially after a chase;
We finally got the suspect
Did you catch the thief?
Shumaila Saeed
Oct 19, 2023
Get
Come to have or undergo a change of (physical features and attributes);
He grew a beard
The patient developed abdominal pains
I got funny spots all over my body
Well-developed breasts
Shumaila Saeed
Oct 19, 2023
Get
Be stricken by an illness, fall victim to an illness;
He got AIDS
She came down with pneumonia
She took a chill
Shumaila Saeed
Oct 19, 2023
Get
Communicate with a place or person; establish communication with, as if by telephone;
Bill called this number and he got Mary
The operator couldn't get Kobe because of the earthquake
Shumaila Saeed
Oct 19, 2023
Get
Give certain properties to something;
Get someone mad
She made us look silly
He made a fool of himself at the meeting
Don't make this into a big deal
This invention will make you a millionaire
Make yourself clear
Shumaila Saeed
Oct 19, 2023
Get
Grasp with the mind or develop an undersatnding of;
Did you catch that allusion?
We caught something of his theory in the lecture
Don't catch your meaning
Did you get it?
She didn't get the joke
I just don't get him
Shumaila Saeed
Oct 19, 2023
Get
Attract and fix;
His look caught her
She caught his eye
Catch the attention of the waiter
Shumaila Saeed
Oct 19, 2023
Get
Reach with a blow or hit in a particular spot;
The rock caught her in the back of the head
The blow got him in the back
The punch caught him in the stomach
Shumaila Saeed
Oct 19, 2023
Get
Acquire as a result of some effort or action;
You cannot get water out of a stone
Where did she get these news?
Shumaila Saeed
Oct 19, 2023
Get
Perceive by hearing;
I didn't catch your name
She didn't get his name when they met the first time
Shumaila Saeed
Oct 19, 2023
Get
Irritate;
Her childish behavior really get to me
His lying really gets me
Shumaila Saeed
Oct 19, 2023
Get
Apprehend and reproduce accurately;
She really caught the spirit of the place in her drawings
She got the mood just right in her photographs
Shumaila Saeed
Oct 19, 2023
Get
In baseball: earn or achieve a base by being walked by the pitcher;
He drew a base on balls
Shumaila Saeed
Oct 19, 2023
Get
Overcome or destroy;
The ice storm got my hibiscus
The cat got the goldfish
Shumaila Saeed
Oct 19, 2023
Get
Be a mystery or bewildering to;
This beats me!
Got me--I don't know the answer!
A vexing problem
This question really stuck me
Shumaila Saeed
Oct 19, 2023
Get
Take the first step or steps in carrying out an action;
We began working at dawn
Who will start?
Get working as soon as the sun rises!
The first tourists began to arrive in Cambodia
He began early in the day
Let's get down to work now
Shumaila Saeed
Oct 19, 2023
Get
Undergo (as of injuries and illnesses);
She suffered a fracture in the accident
He had an insulin shock after eating three candy bars
She got a bruise on her leg
He got his arm broken in the scuffle
Shumaila Saeed
Oct 19, 2023
Get
Make children;
Abraham begot Isaac
Men often father children but don't recognize them
Shumaila Saeed
Oct 19, 2023
Get
Succeed in attaining, achieving, or experiencing.
She got her degree after years of hard work.
Shumaila Saeed
Nov 28, 2023
Get
Cause something to happen or be done.
Get your homework done before you play video games.
Shumaila Saeed
Nov 28, 2023
Repeatedly Asked Queries
Is "obtain" used in legal contexts?
Yes, "obtain" is often used in legal, professional, and academic contexts.
Shumaila Saeed
Nov 28, 2023
Can "get" imply effort?
Yes, "get" can imply effort, but it's often used casually.
Shumaila Saeed
Nov 28, 2023
Does "get" have multiple meanings?
Yes, "get" can mean acquire, become, or understand, among others.
Shumaila Saeed
Nov 28, 2023
Is "obtain" often used in legal or technical contexts?
Yes, "obtain" is commonly used in legal, scientific, and technical contexts where precision in language is important.
Shumaila Saeed
Nov 28, 2023
Can "obtain" be used casually?
"Obtain" is more formal and less common in casual speech.
Shumaila Saeed
Nov 28, 2023
Can "get" be used in professional writing?
While "get" is less formal, it can be used in professional writing, but "obtain" may be preferred for greater formality.
Shumaila Saeed
Nov 28, 2023
Can "obtain" be used with abstract concepts?
Yes, "obtain" can be used for abstract things like information or results, as in "The truth will obtain."
Shumaila Saeed
Nov 28, 2023
When should I use "get" in a sentence?
Use "get" in casual or everyday language when referring to obtaining something without emphasizing the method or effort.
Shumaila Saeed
Nov 28, 2023
What are some synonyms for "obtain"?
Synonyms include "get," "acquire," "secure," and "attain."
Shumaila Saeed
Nov 28, 2023
Is there any regional variation in the use of these words?
Both "get" and "obtain" are widely used in English, with regional variations in emphasis but not in their basic meanings.
Shumaila Saeed
Nov 28, 2023
Can you provide an example using "get" and "obtain" in the same sentence?
Of course! "She wanted to obtain formal approval, but in the end, she couldn't get the necessary signatures."
Shumaila Saeed
Nov 28, 2023
When should I use "obtain" in a sentence?
Use "obtain" in formal or academic contexts, legal documents, or when emphasizing the process or conditions of acquiring something.
Shumaila Saeed
Nov 28, 2023
Can you provide an example sentence using "obtain"?
Certainly! "He worked hard to obtain a scholarship for his education."
Shumaila Saeed
Nov 28, 2023
Can "get" be used with concrete and abstract objects alike?
Yes, "get" is versatile and can be used with both concrete and abstract nouns, like "get a book" or "get information."
Shumaila Saeed
Nov 28, 2023
Can "obtain" be used in different tenses?
Yes, it can be used in various tenses like "obtained" (past) and "obtaining" (present participle).
Shumaila Saeed
Nov 28, 2023
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About Author
Written by
Shumaila SaeedShumaila Saeed, an expert content creator with 6 years of experience, specializes in distilling complex topics into easily digestible comparisons, shining a light on the nuances that both inform and educate readers with clarity and accuracy.
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