As you learn English, you may come across words and phrases that sound and look pretty much same, like “get in the car” or “get into the car.”
In this article, we’ll guide you through the correct usage of these phrases.
Get in the car and get into the car both mean to enter a car and sit down.
There’s not a big difference between these two phrases. However, there are still some situations where it may be better to use one phrase over the other.
Get in the car vs. Get into the car : Difference
Both “Get in the car” and “Get into the car” mean the same thing: to get inside a car.
The most important difference between these two phrases is that “get into the car” highlights the movement.
“Get in the car” is used more often and might sound more natural to those who speak English as their first language. You can use “get into the car” when you want to stress the action or movement of entering the car.
When to Use “Get in the Car”
“Get in the car” is a common phrase that most people who speak American English can easily understand. Let’s take a look at the usage.
“Get in the car” is typically used in these situations:
- Casual conversations: This phrase isn’t very formal and fits well in casual chats between friends or family. For instance, a parent might tell their child, “We’re running late, so please get in the car fast!”
- Instructions: If you need to give someone a clear command to enter a car, ‘get in the car’ works well. For example, during an urgent situation, you might say, “Get in the car! We have to leave right now!”
- Everyday scenarios: When talking about regular activities with people you know well, ‘get in the car’ is suitable. You could tell a friend, “I usually get in the car from the driver’s side.”
Remember, your choice to use ‘get in the car’ should depend on the situation and how formal you want to be. Always consider who you’re talking to when picking which phrase to use.
When to Use “Get into the Car”
“Get into the car” is typically used when you want to put focus on the action of moving inside the vehicle.
In this case, the word “into” emphasizes the shift from being outside to being inside. This phrase is suitable in situations where you need to draw extra attention to the movement happening. For example:
- When guiding someone on how to enter a car carefully, such as “Get into the car gently, there’s a fragile item on the passenger seat.”
- When pointing out an action that occurs while getting into the vehicle, like “The moment you get into the car, the interior lights will switch on.”
It’s also worth mentioning that ‘get into the car’ might be more commonly used in British English, whereas speakers of American English might generally prefer ‘get in the car’.
Examples of Using Get In the Car in a sentence
“We’re running late for the movie, kids, get in the car now!”
“After a long day of work, I just want to get in the car and drive home.”
“Get in the car quickly, we need to catch that flight!”
“Every morning, I get in the car and listen to my favorite podcast during the commute.”
“Get in the car, we are going on a surprise road trip.”
“As soon as you get in the car, buckle up for safety.”
“If we want to beat the traffic, we should get in the car now.”
“When we finished shopping, we were so tired that we could hardly wait to get in the car.”
“Get in the car, we’ve got a long drive ahead of us.”
“Please, you need to get in the car and fasten your seatbelt.“
Examples of using Get Into the Car in a sentence
“Get into the car gently, the baby is sleeping in the backseat.“
“After shopping, Sarah managed to get into the car with all her bags.“
“When it started raining, Tom and Jerry quickly got into the car to stay dry.“
“He struggled to get into the car because of his injured leg.”
“You should get into the car on the passenger side, as it’s safer to avoid the traffic.“
“Get into the car from the passenger side, the driver’s door is jammed.”
“He struggled to get into the car due to his injured leg.“
“It’s vital to wear comfortable clothing when you get into the car for a long road trip.“
“The dog was excited to get into the car for the trip to the park.“
“After you get into the car, check all the mirrors before pulling out of the parking space.”
Get In the Car Or Get Into the car: US Vs UK English
In both British and American English, there’s no big difference in how “get in the car” and “get into the car” are used. Both phrases mean the same thing and you can use them interchangeably when chatting or writing.
So, whether you’re in the US or the UK, you can use both “get in the car” and “get into the car” confidently without causing any confusion or misunderstanding.
