Cool MateGetting vs Obtain
When to use each in English, with meaning, register, and examples.
Getting
Top 1,000 (very common)
Obtain
Top 2,000 (common)B2verb
Most common: Getting
| Getting | Obtain | |
|---|---|---|
| Pronunciation | 🇬🇧 //ˈɡɛtɪŋ//🇺🇸 //ˈɡɛtɪŋ// | 🇬🇧 //əbˈteɪn//🇺🇸 //əbˈteɪn// |
| Meaning | To receive or obtain something. | To get or receive something. |
| Example | I am getting a new phone next week. | You need to obtain permission from the manager first. |
| Register | Neutral | Neutral |
| How common | Top 1,000 (very common) | Top 2,000 (common) |
| CEFR level | - | B2 |
| Part of speech | verb | |
| Collocations | getting older, getting started, getting lost, getting excited, getting tired | obtain a degree, obtain funding, obtain information, obtain results, obtain consent |
| Antonyms | losing, releasing | lose, forfeit, surrender |
| Common mistakes | Confused with 'got' which is the past tense., Using 'getting' as a noun instead of a verb form., Misplaced in tenses; should match the subject. | Confusing 'obtain' with 'get', which is less formal., Using 'obtain' incorrectly with intransitive forms., Incorrectly conjugating the verb in different tenses. |
| Usage notes | Use 'getting' when talking about obtaining or becoming. It's neutral, suitable for casual or formal settings. Avoid using it in overly formal writing. | Used in formal and neutral contexts. Common in academic and professional language. Not typically used in casual conversation. |
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Frequently asked questions: Getting vs Obtain
What's the difference between Getting and Obtain?
Getting: To receive or obtain something. Obtain: To get or receive something.
Which is more common: Getting and Obtain?
Getting is the most common in everyday English.
Can I use Getting and Obtain interchangeably?
Not always. Getting and Obtain are related and overlap in some contexts, but they differ in register, how common they are, and usage, so swapping one for another can change the meaning or tone. Check the differences above before substituting.