get on something

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ostap77

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"These files need to be organized.I'll get on it right away."

Would it be correct to use it with a gerund?

"There is a lot of work that needs to be done. I'll get on writing a report first."
 

bhaisahab

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"These files need to be organized.I'll get on it right away."

Would it be correct to use it with a gerund?

"There is a lot of work that needs to be done. I'll get on writing a report first."
"Get on with writing..." is better.
 

sunsunmoon

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"Get on with writing..." is better.

bhaisahab,

Do you use "get on with something" here to mean "to continue doing something"?
 

ostap77

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bhaisahab,

Do you use "get on with something" here to mean "to continue doing something"?

I actually meant started doing something.
 

sunsunmoon

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ostap77

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Merriam-Webster's Learner's Dictionary
get down to (something)
to start to do (something) : to begin to give your attention or effort to (something)
▪ It's time to stop delaying and get down to work. ▪ Let's get down to business.

Getting Started on Writing a Resume!
The first question that occurs to each one of us when we get down to writing a resume – “Where should I start?”.

Writing business letter
Alright, let's get down to writing a proper business letter.

" get down to writing a proper business letter.":?::?::?::?:


Sunsunmoon,

If you would scroll down Merriam-Webster's Learner's Dictionary, there will be the definition
" get on (something) US : to start to do or deal with (something)
▪ “These files need to be organized.” “I'll get on it right away.”

I put a straight forward qustion about it. Why would you be coming up with answers to another phrasial verb?
 

sunsunmoon

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You wrote: I actually meant started doing something.
So I just told you a phrasal verb which means "to start to do (something)."

"get down to writing a proper business letter"
This is an example which might help you understand how to use "get down to."

Does "get on with something" mean "to start to do (something)"?
 

bhaisahab

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You wrote: I actually meant started doing something.
So I just told you a phrasal verb which means "to start to do (something)."

"get down to writing a proper business letter"
This is an example which might help you understand how to use "get down to."

Does "get on with something" mean "to start to do (something)"?
Yes, it can mean "to start doing something".
 

sunsunmoon

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Yes, it can mean "to start doing something".

bhaisahab,

Do you say "get on with doing something" to mean "get down to doing something"?
 

bhaisahab

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bhaisahab,

Do you say "get on with doing something" to mean "get down to doing something"?
I don't think I have ever used "get down to doing something", but the way in which you are using it would seem to have the same meaning as my "get on with..."
 

sunsunmoon

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I'm wondering if "get down to" is an American English phrase.
 

bhaisahab

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freezeframe

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I don't think I have ever used "get down to doing something", but the way in which you are using it would seem to have the same meaning as my "get on with..."


"get down to" is common here

To me it sounds not as annoyed as "get on with".

"Okay let's get on with preparing the presentation" vs. "Okay let's get down to preparing the presentation"

The first sounds to me (out of context here!) like the speaker is annoyed.

"Let's get down to business" is a very common expression.

Let's get down to business - Idioms - by the Free Dictionary, Thesaurus and Encyclopedia.
 

Raymott

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"to get on with something" can mean to start it, or to continue it, depending on the context.

Boss: "I asked you to write this report two hours ago. Get on with it." (Start doing it, and finish it.).

Boss: Come on boys, this work has to be finished by 6pm. Get on with it." (Continue, at a faster rate.)
 

ostap77

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"to get on with something" can mean to start it, or to continue it, depending on the context.

Boss: "I asked you to write this report two hours ago. Get on with it." (Start doing it, and finish it.).

Boss: Come on boys, this work has to be finished by 6pm. Get on with it." (Continue, at a faster rate.)

How about post #1? Haven't got a clear answer yet.

Sunsunmoon,you can also say " I got to writing a report" to mean start writing it?
 

Raymott

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"These files need to be organized.I'll get on it right away."
I'd say, "I'll get onto it right away", but your version is understandable.

Would it be correct to use it with a gerund?

"There is a lot of work that needs to be done. I'll get on writing a report first."
No. You need "with" here.
R.
 

sunsunmoon

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How about post #1? Haven't got a clear answer yet.

Sunsunmoon,you can also say " I got to writing a report" to mean start writing it?

Is to correct?
get on doing something = get to doing something?
 
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