get on

Meaning

To get on means to board a large vehicle like a bus, train, plane, or boat, or to mount a bicycle or horse. It is a very common phrasal verb used in daily transit situations.

Examples

• We need to get on the train before it starts moving.

  We need to get on the train before it starts moving.

• She helped the elderly man get on the bus.

  She helped the elderly man get on the bus.

• Make sure you get on the right platform to board the train.

  Make sure you get on the right platform to board the train.

• I saw him get on his bicycle and ride away down the street.

  I saw him get on his bicycle and ride away down the street.

• He was nervous about his first time getting on a plane.

  He was nervous about his first time getting on a plane.

Common Mistakes

• ✗ I got on the car and drove to work.

  ✓ I got in the car and drove to work.

  We use 'get on' for large public transport (bus, train, plane) where you can stand and walk around, but 'get in' for smaller private vehicles like cars or taxis.

• ✗ Please get on of the train quickly.

  ✓ Please get on the train quickly.

  'Get on' is a transitive phrasal verb here and takes a direct object immediately without the preposition 'of'.

Related Expressions

Practice

• Show your ticket to the driver when you ___ the bus.

  💡 Board the vehicle.

  Show answer

  get on

• It is much easier to ___ the train when it is not crowded.

  💡 Enter the train.

  Show answer

  get on