Get-Passive
B2 · Upper IntermediatePassive VoiceMy phone got stolen. An everyday, informal cousin of the passive voice.
What you'll learn
- Get + past participle is an informal alternative to be + past participle
- Get-passive is especially common for sudden, unexpected, or unlucky events
- Get-passive sounds natural in everyday speech; be-passive sounds more neutral or formal
- For single events the meanings are often close, but get-passive describes an event or change, not an existing state
A more casual passive
For single events, 'get' + past participle and 'be' + past participle often have similar meanings: 'He got fired' and 'He was fired' can describe the same event. However, get-passive describes an event or change, not an existing state. It often sounds more conversational and may emphasize the subject's involvement or that the event was unexpected.
When 'get' fits best
'Get' passive is most natural in everyday, spoken English, especially for events that are sudden, dramatic, or a bit unfortunate — accidents, losses, surprises, changes in someone's situation.
'Be' still fits official or formal contexts
For formal writing, official announcements, or neutral statements of fact, 'be' passive remains the more natural choice.
Real English
Watch out
'Get' passive needs the past participle, not the base form of the verb.
'Get' passive sounds too casual for formal writing or official announcements — use 'be' passive there.
To describe the house's existing surroundings, use 'is surrounded': this is a state. 'Gets surrounded' would describe an event or change, not that existing state. Get-passive and be-passive are therefore not always interchangeable.
Real life — Sharing bad news
"You look upset. What happened?"
"My bike got stolen outside the gym this morning."
"Oh no, that's awful! Did you call the police?"
"Yeah, but I doubt I'll get it back."
Practice
Exercise 1 · Choose the more natural sentence
Choose the more natural, informal sentence about a sudden event.
Exercise 2 · Choose the correct sentence
Choose the correct 'get passive' sentence.
Exercise 3 · Choose the correct sentence
Choose the correct 'get passive' sentence.
Exercise 4 · Choose the correct register
Which register is 'get passive' most associated with?
Exercise 5 · Choose the correct sentence
Choose the correct 'get passive' sentence.
Exercise 6 · Choose the more formal sentence
Choose the sentence more likely to describe an official announcement (formal).
Exercise 7 · Choose the correct sentence
Choose the correct 'get passive' sentence.
Exercise 8 · Choose the correct sentence
Choose the correct 'get passive' sentence.
Exercise 9 · Rewrite using 'get passive'
Rewrite using the informal 'get passive': 'My bike was stolen yesterday.'
Exercise 10 · Rewrite using 'get passive'
Rewrite using the informal 'get passive': 'He was hurt during the game.'
Exercise 11 · Sort into groups
0 / 4 sorted
Quick challenge
Five quick questions to check what stuck.
Question 1 / 5
Score: 0/0
Choose the correct 'get passive' sentence.
You learned
- Get + past participle is an informal alternative to be + past participle.
- Get-passive is especially common for sudden, unexpected, or unlucky events.
- Be-passive remains more natural for formal or official contexts.
- For single events, get-passive and be-passive often have similar meanings; get-passive describes an event or change, not an existing state, and may emphasize involvement or unexpectedness.
Related grammar lessons
Have / Get Something Done
Learn the causative structure — have/get + object + past participle — for talking about services someone else does for you.
Passive Voice by Tense
Learn how the passive voice changes across tenses — the past participle stays fixed, and only the form of 'be' changes.
Advanced Passive Structures
Learn more advanced passive patterns — passivizing an indirect object, passive infinitives and gerunds, and needs-to-be-done structures.
Passive Voice Basics
Learn how to form the passive voice with 'be' + past participle, and when to use it instead of the active voice.