B1 Prepositions 18 min read Medium

Getting Along (Phrasal Verb: Get along/on)

Get along/on describes relationship harmony or conflict. Master it for natural social conversations!
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Grammar Rule in 30 Seconds

Use 'get along' to describe having a friendly relationship with someone or making progress on a task.

  • Use 'get along with [person]' for relationships: 'I get along with my sister.'
  • Use 'get along' alone if the context is clear: 'We get along very well.'
  • Use 'get along with [task]' for progress: 'How are you getting along with your homework?'
👤 + get + along/on + (with + 👤/📝)

Overview

"Get along" and "get on" mean you are friends. You like someone.

Learn this to speak well with other people.

Some people like each other. Some do not. It shows your feelings.

"I don't get along with my boss" means we have problems.

How This Grammar Works

These words show if you and a person are happy together.
It means you have a good relationship with a person.
Use it for family or work. Say "well" for a good relationship.
Usually, it means you are friendly. "Do you like your neighbors?"
You can say "They get along." Or "I get along with her."
Use "with" before the person's name.
In the UK, people often say "get on." It is the same.
Both words are good to know. They help you talk about friends.

Formation Pattern

1
Use "get on" in the UK. Use "get along" anywhere.
2
Basic Positive Statement:
3
Person + get along/on + with + person
4
My dog gets along well with the cat. (Focus on the positive interaction)
5
They get on famously. (Implies a strong, positive relationship)
6
Basic Negative Statement:
7
Person + do not + get along/on + with + person
8
I do not like my coworker. We have problems.
9
Our neighbors are not friends. They fight.
10
How to ask a question:
11
Do you + get along/on + with + person?
12
Are you friends with your family?
13
Does she get on with her new classmates? (Enquiring about social integration)
14
Table: Formation Examples
15
| Way to say it | Use Get Along | Use Get On |
16
| :-------------------------------- | :--------------------------------------- | :--------------------------------------- |
17
| Positive, no object | They get along well. | They get on well. |
18
| Positive, with object | I get along with my teammates. | I get on with my teammates. |
19
| No name at the end | We are not friends now. | We are not friends now. |
20
| With a name at the end | She does not like him. | She does not like him. |
21
| Simple question | Are they friends? | Are they friends? |
22
| Question with a name | Does he like his boss? | Does he like his boss? |
23
Use 'with' when you say the person's name. Example: get along with Sam.

When To Use It

Use these words to say people are friends. It means they like each other.
  1. 1Describing General Harmony or Compatibility: This is the most common application. You use it to state whether people have a good or bad working/personal relationship. It reflects a general state rather than a specific agreement or activity.
  • Despite their different personalities, Sarah and Tom get along just fine. (Indicates comfortable coexistence).
  • It's essential that classmates get along for a positive learning environment. (Highlights the need for mutual understanding).
  1. 1Evaluating Team Dynamics: In professional or group settings, get along is frequently used to assess how well team members collaborate and interact. A team that gets along is generally more productive.
  • Our marketing department gets along very well, which helps our campaigns succeed. (Suggests good teamwork).
  • The new project manager wants to ensure everyone on the team gets along. (Emphasises facilitating positive interactions).
  1. 1Discussing New Acquaintances: When someone meets new people, this phrasal verb helps express initial impressions about compatibility or the potential for a positive relationship.
  • I met my partner's parents last night, and we seemed to get on quite well. (Positive first impression).
  • I hope my children get along with their new babysitter. (Expressing a wish for harmony).
  1. 1Referring to Pets or Animals (often humorously): While primarily for humans, get along can be applied to animals, especially pets, to personify their interactions.
  • My two dogs used to fight, but now they get along perfectly. (Describes animal coexistence).
  • Do your cat and dog get along? (A common question among pet owners).
  1. 1In Negative Contexts: To express a lack of harmony, conflict, or incompatibility, simply negate the phrasal verb or add a negative adverb.
  • The two politicians simply don't get along; their debates are always heated. (Shows consistent disagreement).
  • My downstairs neighbours and I don't get on very well due to their loud music. (Highlights ongoing friction).
These words show if people are happy together. It is very simple.

When Not To Use It

Be careful. Sometimes these words do not work. Do not make mistakes.
  1. 1To Indicate Romantic Involvement: This is a very common mistake. Get along describes compatibility within a relationship, not the existence of a romantic relationship itself. Saying They are getting along implies they are interacting harmoniously, not that they are dating or married.
  • Incorrect: Are John and Mary getting along? (Meaning: Are they dating?)
  • Correct: Are John and Mary dating / in a relationship?
  • Correct Usage: John and Mary are dating, and they get along wonderfully. (Here, get along describes the quality of their dating relationship).
  1. 1To Mean 'Agree on a Specific Point': Get along implies general harmony and positive interaction, but it does not mean people agree on every opinion or decision. You can get along with someone despite having differing views.
  • Incorrect: My boss and I get along on the new policy. (Meaning: We agree on the policy.)
  • Correct: My boss and I agree with each other on the new policy.
  • Correct Usage: My boss and I get along well, even though we sometimes disagree on minor issues. (Shows general harmony despite specific disagreements).
  1. 1To Mean 'Make Progress' (Especially for American English Speakers): In British English, get on can mean to make progress (e.g., How are you getting on with your homework?). However, in American English, get along almost exclusively refers to relationships, and get on is less commonly used for progress. Confusing these can lead to misinterpretation.
  • Ambiguous (British English): How are you getting on? (Could mean how is your relationship, or how is your task progressing).
  • Clear (American English): How are you progressing with your work? or How is your work going?
  • Clear (Relationship meaning): I hope you get along with your new colleagues.
  1. 1For Physical Movement or Accompanying Someone: Get along is not used to mean physically moving with someone or accompanying them. For this, you would use verbs like go with, accompany, or walk with.
  • Incorrect: I will get along with you to the market.
  • Correct: I will go with you to the market.
  1. 1For Objects or Abstract Concepts: The phrasal verb inherently refers to the interaction between sentient beings or entities capable of social interaction. It cannot be applied to inanimate objects, ideas, or events.
  • Incorrect: My computer and printer don't get along.
  • Correct: My computer and printer don't work well together.
Learn these rules well. Then you can speak good English.

Common Mistakes

Students often make mistakes. Do not translate from your language. Listen to natives.
  1. 1Omitting the Preposition with: When specifying who someone gets along with, the preposition with is mandatory. It clarifies the object of the relationship. This is a grammatical requirement.
  • Incorrect: I get along my new team. (Missing with)
  • Correct: I get along with my new team.
  • Incorrect: She doesn't get on her family. (Missing with)
  • Correct: She doesn't get on with her family.
You need 'with' to show the other person. This makes the sentence clear.
  1. 1Confusing get along with 'dating' or 'in a romantic relationship': As previously mentioned, get along describes harmony, not romantic status. This confusion is particularly common and can lead to serious misinterpretations.
  • Incorrect Scenario: You ask, Are Alex and Ben getting along? meaning Are they dating?
  • Likely Native Speaker Interpretation: Are Alex and Ben interacting harmoniously / having a good relationship?
Get along means being friends. It is not for boyfriends or girlfriends.
  1. 1Incorrect Placement of Adverbs: Adverbs like well, badly, great typically follow get along/on directly, or they precede the preposition with if an object is present.
  • Incorrect: They get along with well each other.
  • Correct: They get along well with each other.
  • Correct: They get along well.
Put words like 'well' before 'with'. Example: get along well with Sam.
  1. 1Overgeneralizing get on to mean 'progress' in all dialects: While get on can mean 'progress' in British English, American English predominantly reserves this meaning for other phrasal verbs or expressions. B1 learners should be aware of this dialectal difference.
  • Potentially Misleading (American context): How are you getting on with your studies? (Could be understood as 'how is your relationship with your studies?').
  • Clear (General): How are you progressing with your studies? or How are your studies going?
These words show people are friends. Everyone in the world understands this.
  1. 1Using get along reflexively without each other or a specific object: You cannot say They get along themselves. The relationship is reciprocal.
  • Incorrect: The siblings sometimes don't get along themselves.
  • Correct: The siblings sometimes don't get along with each other.
  • Correct: The siblings sometimes don't get along. (Implied with each other)
Just say: They get along. Do not add extra words like 'themselves'.

Common Collocations

Use extra words to show more. This helps you speak better.
Words to show how people feel:
  • get along well / get on well: The most common collocation, simply meaning to have a good, harmonious relationship.
  • My parents have been married for fifty years and still get along well.
  • get along great / get on great: A stronger, more enthusiastic version of well, indicating an excellent relationship.
  • The new software developers get along great; they collaborate effortlessly.
  • get along famously / get on famously: Implies an extremely good, well-known, or celebrated relationship, often with immediate strong rapport. This is often used slightly ironically or playfully.
  • After their initial squabble, the two rival artists now get along famously.
  • get along badly / get on badly: Indicates a poor, difficult, or conflict-ridden relationship.
  • My boss and his assistant get along badly, which creates a tense atmosphere in the office.
  • get along terribly / get on terribly: An even stronger negative expression than badly, suggesting a very problematic relationship.
  • Ever since their argument, the brothers have been getting along terribly.
  • not get along / not get on: A straightforward negation, meaning there is no harmony or agreement.
  • The two departments simply don't get along, hindering cross-functional projects.
  • get along with everyone / get on with everyone: Describes someone who is generally amiable and compatible with a wide range of people.
  • She's a natural leader because she manages to get along with everyone on her team.
Idiomatic Expressions:
  • get on like a house on fire: This vivid idiom means two people immediately like each other very much and become close friends quickly. It implies an extremely rapid and intense rapport.
  • My sister introduced her boyfriend to our family, and he and my dad got on like a house on fire.
People in England say 'get on'. People in America say 'get along'.
  • get along (just) fine: Suggests that while the relationship might not be outstanding, there are no significant problems; it's adequate or acceptable.
  • They had their disagreements in the past, but now they get along just fine.
These words help you speak clearly. You will sound like a native speaker.

Contrast With Similar Patterns

Learn how these words are different. This helps you speak better.
  1. 1Be friends with / Be a friend to: Get along describes the quality of interaction within a relationship, whereas be friends with denotes a type of relationship—a friendship. You can get along with someone without being their friend.
  • I get along with most of my neighbours, but I am only friends with a few of them. (Harmony vs. defined social bond).
  • Explanation: Being friends implies a deeper, established bond with mutual affection, trust, and shared activities. Getting along is less committed; it simply means interactions are pleasant and without conflict.
  1. 1Agree with / See eye to eye: These phrases refer to shared opinions or concurrence on specific matters. Get along indicates general harmony or compatibility, not necessarily agreement on every topic.
  • My colleagues and I get along well, but we rarely see eye to eye on political issues. (General harmony vs. specific agreement).
  • Explanation: It's entirely possible to get along with someone you frequently disagree with, as long as the disagreements are handled respectfully and don't disrupt the overall positive interaction.
  1. 1Have a good relationship (with): This is a more general and often slightly more formal way to express what get along well conveys. Get along well is more idiomatic and common in everyday speech.
  • My manager and I have a good relationship. (Formal, general statement)
  • My manager and I get along well. (More colloquial, focuses on the dynamic of interaction)
  • Explanation: While semantically close, get along well emphasizes the active, dynamic aspect of positive interaction, whereas have a good relationship is a more static description of the overall state.
  1. 1Cooperate / Collaborate: These verbs specifically refer to working together towards a shared goal. While people who cooperate or collaborate typically get along, get along itself doesn't imply working on a task together.
  • The two departments cooperated on the urgent project. (Focus on working together).
  • Fortunately, the teams got along well, which made cooperation easier. (Focus on the relational aspect facilitating collaboration).
  • Explanation: Get along describes the interpersonal climate that enables cooperation, but it's not the cooperation itself.
  1. 1Tolerate: To tolerate someone means to accept their presence or actions despite disliking them or finding them difficult. This implies a lack of harmony, or at best, a grudging peace, which is the opposite of get along.
  • I tolerate my noisy neighbour, but we certainly don't get along. (Enduring vs. harmony).
  • Explanation: Tolerating someone suggests a negative underlying sentiment, whereas getting along implies a positive or neutral, conflict-free interaction.
Understanding these words helps you talk to people better.

Quick FAQ

Here are answers to common questions about these words.
Q1: Can I always use get on instead of get along?
Yes, they are the same. 'Get on' is common in England.
Use 'get on' in the UK. Use 'get along' in the US.
Q2: Is get along only for people?
Use these words for people. You can use them for pets too.
Do not use these words for things like cars or books.
Q3: What's the difference between “They get along” and “They are getting along”?
They get along means they are usually friends.
They are getting along means they are friends right now.
How do I say people are not friends?
Use 'not' to say people are not friends. For example: 'They do not get along.' You can also say 'They get along badly.' This means they are not happy together.
Q5: Can get along be used for a group of people?
Use this for many people together. Use it for families or teams. Example: 'My team gets along well.' The words stay the same for groups.
Q6: Is get along formal or informal?
Use these words with friends. Use them at work too. They are good for many situations. They are good for everyone.
These are normal words. Everyone uses them. They are good to use every day.

2. Negative Contractions

Full Form Contraction Usage
do not get along
don't get along
Common
does not get along
doesn't get along
Common
did not get along
didn't get along
Common
have not gotten along
haven't gotten along
Common

Conjugating 'Get Along'

Tense Subject Form Example
Present Simple
I / You / We / They
get along
We get along well.
Present Simple
He / She / It
gets along
She gets along with him.
Present Continuous
Any
am/is/are getting along
I am getting along with it.
Past Simple
Any
got along
They got along last year.
Present Perfect
Any
have/has gotten along
We have always gotten along.
Future
Any
will get along
I'm sure they will get along.
Gerund
N/A
getting along
Getting along is important.

Meanings

To have a harmonious or friendly relationship with another person.

1

Social Harmony

To be friendly and avoid arguments with someone.

“Do you get along with your colleagues?”

“My cats don't get along at all.”

2

Progress

To make progress or deal with a situation.

“How are you getting along with your English studies?”

“I'm getting along quite well with the project despite the delays.”

3

Departure

To leave a place.

“It's getting late; I should be getting along now.”

“We'd better be getting along if we want to catch the train.”

Reference Table

Reference table for Getting Along (Phrasal Verb: Get along/on)
Form Structure Example
Affirmative (Intransitive)
Subject + get along
We get along.
Affirmative (Transitive)
Subject + get along + with + Object
I get along with her.
Negative
Subject + auxiliary + not + get along
They don't get along.
Question
Auxiliary + Subject + get along?
Do you get along?
Progress Sense
Subject + be + getting along + with + Task
I'm getting along with work.
British Variation
Subject + get on + with + Object
I get on with my mum.
Departure (Informal)
Subject + should be + getting along
I should be getting along.
Aging (Idiom)
Subject + be + getting along + in years
He is getting along in years.

Formality Spectrum

Formal
I maintain a professional and harmonious relationship with my colleagues.

I maintain a professional and harmonious relationship with my colleagues. (Workplace)

Neutral
I get along well with my coworkers.

I get along well with my coworkers. (Workplace)

Informal
Me and my workmates get on great.

Me and my workmates get on great. (Workplace)

Slang
Me and the crew are tight.

Me and the crew are tight. (Workplace)

The Two Faces of 'Get Along'

Get Along

Relationships

  • Harmony No fighting
  • Friendship Liking each other
  • Cooperation Working together

Progress

  • Tasks Doing work
  • Projects Moving forward
  • Life Faring well

US vs UK English

American English
Get along Standard usage
British English
Get on Standard usage

Do I need 'with'?

1

Are you naming the person/thing at the end?

YES
Use 'with' (e.g., get along with him)
NO
Stop at 'along' (e.g., we get along)

Adverbs to use with 'Get Along'

😊

Positive

  • • well
  • • famously
  • • great
  • • swimmingly
😠

Negative

  • • badly
  • • poorly
  • • not at all
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Examples by Level

1

I get along with my dad.

2

Do you get along with your friend?

3

We get along.

4

They don't get along.

1

My brother and I get along very well.

2

She doesn't get along with her new neighbor.

3

How are you getting along today?

4

We get along because we like sports.

1

How are you getting along with your new job?

2

I've never really gotten along with my cousin.

3

It's important to get along with your coworkers.

4

They seem to be getting along famously.

1

Despite their different political views, they get along fine.

2

I'm not getting along with this software update at all.

3

He's getting along in years, but he's still very active.

4

We need to find a way to get along for the sake of the children.

1

I should be getting along now; I have a long drive ahead.

2

The project is getting along, albeit slower than anticipated.

3

Their inability to get along hampered the entire department's productivity.

4

She has a knack for getting along with even the most prickly personalities.

1

The protagonist's struggle to get along with society is a central theme of the novel.

2

Whether the two nations can get along remains the pivotal question of the decade.

3

He was getting along toward eighty when he finally retired.

4

The sheer effort of getting along with her in-laws was beginning to take its toll.

Easily Confused

Getting Along (Phrasal Verb: Get along/on) vs Get along vs. Get by

Both involve 'getting' and a preposition, but one is social and the other is financial/survival-based.

Getting Along (Phrasal Verb: Get along/on) vs Get along vs. Go along

'Go along' means to agree or accompany, while 'get along' means harmony.

Getting Along (Phrasal Verb: Get along/on) vs Get along vs. Get on

These are synonyms, but learners often think they mean different things.

Common Mistakes

✗

I get along my sister.

✓

I get along with my sister.

You must use 'with' to connect the verb to the person.
✗

We get along good.

✓

We get along well.

Use the adverb 'well' to describe how you get along.
✗

I am get along.

✓

I get along.

Don't use 'am' with the base form of the verb.
✗

He get along with me.

✓

He gets along with me.

Don't forget the 's' for third-person singular.
✗

Do you get along your boss?

✓

Do you get along with your boss?

Questions still require 'with' if the object is present.
✗

We are getting along with very well.

✓

We are getting along very well.

Don't use 'with' if there is no object after it.
✗

I don't get along with.

✓

I don't get along with him.

If you use 'with', you must provide an object.
✗

How do you get along your project?

✓

How are you getting along with your project?

For progress, the continuous 'getting' is more natural.
✗

I get along with my money.

✓

I get by on my money.

Confusing 'get along' (relationships) with 'get by' (survival).
✗

We got along with each other.

✓

We got along.

While not strictly wrong, 'with each other' is often redundant after 'get along'.
✗

I must get along me now.

✓

I must be getting along now.

The 'departure' sense is an intransitive idiom; don't add a reflexive pronoun.

Sentence Patterns

I get along with ___ because ___.

How are you getting along with ___?

It's hard to get along with someone who ___.

We don't always see eye to eye, but we ___.

Real World Usage

Job Interview very common

I get along well with all types of personalities.

Texting a friend constant

U guys getting along?

Family Gathering common

It's nice to see the cousins getting along.

Performance Review occasional

He needs to work on getting along with the design team.

Travel Blog common

We got along so well we decided to travel together for another month.

Pet Adoption common

Does this dog get along with cats?

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💡

The 'With' Rule

If you mention a name or a pronoun (him/her/them) after the verb, you MUST use 'with'. If you stop the sentence after the verb, don't use 'with'.
⚠️

Avoid 'Good'

Always say 'get along well' instead of 'get along good'. 'Well' is the adverb that describes the action of getting along.
🎯

British vs American

If you are taking the IELTS, using 'get on' will sound more natural to British examiners. For the TOEFL, 'get along' is preferred.
💬

Polite Departure

Use 'I should be getting along' as a very polite way to leave a party. It sounds less abrupt than 'I am leaving now'.

Smart Tips

Drop the 'with' to sound more like a native speaker.

My brother and I get along with each other. → My brother and I get along.

Use 'getting along' to give a more detailed answer about your life progress.

I am fine. → I'm getting along well with my new classes.

Use 'should be getting along' to signal your departure without being rude.

I am going home now. → I should probably be getting along now.

Pair it with 'team player' to sound professional.

I get along with people. → I'm a team player who gets along well with diverse groups.

Pronunciation

/ɡɛˈtəˌlɔŋ/

Linking

The 't' in 'get' often links to the 'a' in 'along', sounding like 'ge-talong'.

get a-LONG

Stress

The primary stress is usually on the second syllable of 'along'.

Rising Intonation in Questions

Do you get a-LONG? ↗

Asking for confirmation of a good relationship.

Memorize It

Mnemonic

Think of 'Along' as a long, smooth road. If you 'Get Along' with someone, you are traveling that road together without any bumps.

Visual Association

Imagine two puzzle pieces that slide 'along' the table and click together perfectly. That 'click' is the moment you start getting along.

Rhyme

To get along is to belong; when we're together, nothing's wrong.

Story

Once there were two neighbors, Alex and Ben. They didn't 'get along' because Alex liked loud music and Ben liked silence. But then they found a middle ground—headphones! Now they 'get along with' each other perfectly.

Word Web

RelationshipHarmonyProgressWithOnWellFriendship

Challenge

Write down the names of three people you get along with and one project you are getting along with today.

Cultural Notes

'Get along' is the standard term for both relationships and progress. Using 'get on' might sound slightly old-fashioned or specifically British to an American ear.

'Get on' is much more frequent. If a Brit says 'We're getting on,' they usually mean they are having a good time together.

In many Western corporate environments, 'getting along' is considered a 'soft skill.' Being able to get along with diverse teams is often a requirement in job descriptions.

The verb 'get' comes from Old Norse 'geta' (to obtain/reach). 'Along' comes from Old English 'andlang' (entire, continuous, or alongside).

Conversation Starters

“

Do you get along with your siblings?

“

How are you getting along with your English studies lately?

“

Is it easy for you to get along with new people?

“

Have you ever had a roommate you didn't get along with?

Journal Prompts

Describe a person you get along with perfectly. What makes your relationship work?
Write about a project or hobby you are currently 'getting along with.' Describe your progress.
Reflect on a time you didn't get along with someone. How did you resolve the conflict?
Compare the importance of 'liking' someone versus 'getting along' with them in a professional setting.

Common Mistakes

Incorrect

Correct

Incorrect

Correct

Incorrect

Correct

Incorrect

Correct

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Test Yourself

Fill in the missing preposition.

I don't get along ___ my new roommate.

✓ Correct! ✗ Not quite. Correct answer: with
We use 'with' to connect 'get along' to the person.
Choose the correct form of the verb. Multiple Choice

My sister and I ___ very well when we were children.

✓ Correct! ✗ Not quite. Correct answer: got along
The sentence refers to the past ('when we were children'), so we use 'got'.
Find the mistake in the sentence. Error Correction

Find and fix the mistake:

How are you getting along your new project?

✓ Correct! ✗ Not quite. Correct answer: missing 'with'
The sentence needs 'with' before 'your new project'.
Put the words in the correct order. Sentence Reorder

Arrange the words in the correct order:

All words placed

Click words above to build the sentence

✓ Correct! ✗ Not quite. Correct answer: They don't get along very well.
The standard order is Subject + auxiliary + not + verb + particle + adverb.
Match the phrase to its meaning. Match Pairs

Match each item on the left with its pair on the right:

✓ Correct! ✗ Not quite. Correct answer: 1-Relationship, 2-Progress, 3-Leaving
These are the three primary senses of the phrasal verb.
Is the following rule true or false? True False Rule

You can use 'get along' to mean 'survive with little money'.

✓ Correct! ✗ Not quite. Correct answer: False
'Get by' is used for survival; 'get along' is for relationships or progress.
Complete the dialogue. Dialogue Completion

A: Is the new guy nice? B: Yeah, we ___.

✓ Correct! ✗ Not quite. Correct answer: get along
Since there is no object at the end of the sentence, we don't use 'with'.
Which sentence is American English? Grammar Sorting

Identify the US style.

✓ Correct! ✗ Not quite. Correct answer: I get along with him.
'Get along' is the preferred American term.

Score: /8

Practice Exercises

8 exercises
Fill in the missing preposition.

I don't get along ___ my new roommate.

✓ Correct! ✗ Not quite. Correct answer: with
We use 'with' to connect 'get along' to the person.
Choose the correct form of the verb. Multiple Choice

My sister and I ___ very well when we were children.

✓ Correct! ✗ Not quite. Correct answer: got along
The sentence refers to the past ('when we were children'), so we use 'got'.
Find the mistake in the sentence. Error Correction

Find and fix the mistake:

How are you getting along your new project?

✓ Correct! ✗ Not quite. Correct answer: missing 'with'
The sentence needs 'with' before 'your new project'.
Put the words in the correct order. Sentence Reorder

along / don't / they / very / get / well

✓ Correct! ✗ Not quite. Correct answer: They don't get along very well.
The standard order is Subject + auxiliary + not + verb + particle + adverb.
Match the phrase to its meaning. Match Pairs

1. Get along with someone, 2. Get along with a task, 3. Get along (departure)

✓ Correct! ✗ Not quite. Correct answer: 1-Relationship, 2-Progress, 3-Leaving
These are the three primary senses of the phrasal verb.
Is the following rule true or false? True False Rule

You can use 'get along' to mean 'survive with little money'.

✓ Correct! ✗ Not quite. Correct answer: False
'Get by' is used for survival; 'get along' is for relationships or progress.
Complete the dialogue. Dialogue Completion

A: Is the new guy nice? B: Yeah, we ___.

✓ Correct! ✗ Not quite. Correct answer: get along
Since there is no object at the end of the sentence, we don't use 'with'.
Which sentence is American English? Grammar Sorting

Identify the US style.

✓ Correct! ✗ Not quite. Correct answer: I get along with him.
'Get along' is the preferred American term.

Score: /8

Practice Bank

12 exercises
Complete the sentence with the best option. Fill in the Blank

The new roommates surprisingly _____ very well despite their different habits.

✓ Correct! ✗ Not quite. Correct answer: get along
Find and fix the mistake in the sentence. Error Correction

He's getting along his girlfriend for three months now.

✓ Correct! ✗ Not quite. Correct answer: He's dating his girlfriend for three months now.
Which sentence correctly uses `get along` or `get on`? Multiple Choice

Choose the correct sentence:

✓ Correct! ✗ Not quite. Correct answer: How are you getting on with your new flatmates?
Translate the sentence into natural English. Translation

Translate into English: 'Es difícil llevarse bien con él porque siempre está de mal humor.'

✓ Correct! ✗ Not quite. Correct answer: ["It's hard to get along with him because he's always in a bad mood.","It's difficult to get along with him because he's always in a bad mood."]
Put the words in the correct order to form a sentence. Sentence Reorder

Arrange these words into a sentence:

✓ Correct! ✗ Not quite. Correct answer: His sister and her don't always get along well.
Match the subjects with the appropriate `get along` statement. Match Pairs

Match the subjects with the correct relationship description:

✓ Correct! ✗ Not quite. Correct answer: matched
Choose the best phrasal verb to complete the conversation. Fill in the Blank

A: How do you _____ with your new team leader? B: We `get along` great!

✓ Correct! ✗ Not quite. Correct answer: get on
Identify and correct the error in the sentence. Error Correction

Are you getting along with your assignment?

✓ Correct! ✗ Not quite. Correct answer: Are you getting on with your assignment?
Select the sentence that correctly uses the phrasal verb. Multiple Choice

Which sentence is correct?

✓ Correct! ✗ Not quite. Correct answer: I wish my roommates would get along better.
Provide the English equivalent for the given phrase. Translation

Translate into English: 'Ella se lleva bien con todos.'

✓ Correct! ✗ Not quite. Correct answer: ["She gets along with everyone.","She gets on with everyone."]
Unscramble the words to form a coherent sentence. Sentence Reorder

Arrange these words into a sentence:

✓ Correct! ✗ Not quite. Correct answer: The new team will learn how to get along.
Pair the relationship status with the most fitting description. Match Pairs

Match the relationship status with its description:

✓ Correct! ✗ Not quite. Correct answer: matched

Score: /12

FAQ (8)

Use `get along` when the people involved are the subject (e.g., 'We get along'). Use `get along with` when you want to name the other person at the end (e.g., 'I get along with him').

It is neutral. You can use it in a business meeting or with your friends. However, in very formal writing, you might use `cooperate` or `maintain a relationship`.

No, you should say `get along well`. 'Well' is an adverb, and it describes how you are 'getting along'.

No, it can also mean progress on a task, like `getting along with a project`.

Yes, `get on` is the British English equivalent of `get along`. They mean exactly the same thing in the context of relationships.

This is an idiom meaning someone is becoming old. For example, 'My grandfather is getting along in years.'

No, it is an inseparable phrasal verb. You cannot say 'get him along'.

Use the auxiliary 'do' or 'be'. For example: 'Do you get along?' or 'How are you getting along?'

Scaffolded Practice

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Mastery Progress

Needs Practice

Improving

Strong

Mastered

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In Other Languages

Spanish moderate

Llevarse bien

English uses 'get' + 'along' while Spanish uses a reflexive verb 'llevarse'.

French low

S'entendre

The English focus is on 'movement' (along), while the French focus is on 'hearing' (entendre).

German moderate

Auskommen

German uses 'with' (mit) just like English, but the base verb is 'come' instead of 'get'.

Japanese none

仲が良い (Naka ga ii)

English uses a dynamic verb (get), whereas Japanese uses a state-based adjective (good).

Arabic moderate

ينسجم مع (Yansajim ma'a)

The Arabic verb is more formal and literal than the English phrasal verb.

Chinese partial

合得来 (Hé de lái)

Chinese focuses on the 'result' of being together, while English focuses on the 'process' of getting along.

Learning Path

Prerequisites

Previous
Phrasal Verb: Take off (Removing & Departing)
Next
Phrasal Verb: Run (Into, Out of, Away)

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