Getandgohave similar meanings, when talking about travel or motion. When we useget, we emphasise arrival:
We’ll phone you as soon as wegetto Rome.
Not:We’ll phone you as soon as we go to Rome.
The thing is, he missed the bus andgotto school late and missed part of the match.
Not: …and went to school late and…
We useget onandget offnotgo onandgo offfor buses, trains, planes:
When Igot onthe plane, there was someone sitting in my seat.
Not:When I went on the plane…
Liam will be waiting for me when Iget offthe train.
Not: …when I go off the train.
Get upmeans ‘leave your bed in the morning’;go upmeans ‘go to a higher place or position’:
What time do we have toget uptomorrow?
Not:What time do we have to go up tomorrow?
Getandgoare both used to mean ‘become’, but they combine with different adjectives. We often usegetwith words likedark, lightandlate; we usegowith colours and words withnegative associations such asmad, bald, bad:
It’sgettingdark now so be careful.
Not: …going dark…
He’s only 30 and he’sgoingbald.
Not: …and he’s getting bald.
We left the milk in the sun too long and it’sgonebad.
Not: …and it’s got bad.
However, with some adjectives such asold, sick, tiredandill, we useget:
Hegotvery tired walking to the match in such a large crowd.
Not:He went very tired walking…