English Reference

Phrasal verb

get on the bus

Definition

phrasal verb. To step into or board a large vehicle like a bus, train, or plane.

phrasal verb. To board or enter a large vehicle, particularly one used for public transport. This phrasal verb is inseparable.

Examples

“We get on the bus at the next stop.”

“You need to buy a ticket before you get on the bus.”

“As the storm gathered, the remaining tourists scrambled to get on the bus before the driver pulled away from the remote stop.”

Examples

simple

“We get on the bus at the next stop.”

contextual

“You need to buy a ticket before you get on the bus.”

complex

“As the storm gathered, the remaining tourists scrambled to get on the bus before the driver pulled away from the remote stop.”

Usage

Use 'get on' for large vehicles you can walk on (bus, train, plane); for cars, use 'get in'.

Teaching tip

Contrast 'get on' with its opposite 'get off', and also with the pair 'get in'/'get out of' used for smaller vehicles like cars.

Pitfall

I get in the bus every morning.

I get on the bus every morning.

The correct preposition for boarding a bus is 'on', not 'in'.

Phrasal verb

Particles

on

Separability

inseparable

Pattern

get + on + object

Synonyms

Antonyms

get off the busalight from the bus

Grammar

This entry

Level
A1 · Beginner
Updated

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