Vastny Languages editorial team
Bring, take, carry, and get: what's the difference?
Bring and take depend on the direction or viewpoint of movement. Carry describes transporting something without that direction. Get is broader: obtain something or go and fetch it.
Bring and take depend on the direction or viewpoint of movement. Carry describes transporting something without that direction. Get is broader: obtain something or go and fetch it.
Which word fits here?
Use bring for movement towards the speaker, listener or relevant destination: bring it here.
Use take for movement away or to another destination: take it there. The intended viewpoint matters.
Use carry for holding or supporting something while moving it, without specifying towards or away.
Use get for obtaining something or fetching it: go and get your coat.
How to choose a word
Use bring for movement towards the speaker, listener or relevant destination: bring it here.
Use take for movement away or to another destination: take it there. The intended viewpoint matters.
Use carry for holding or supporting something while moving it, without specifying towards or away.
Use get for obtaining something or fetching it: go and get your coat.
Word by word
bring
Use bring for movement towards the speaker, listener or relevant destination: bring it here.
Can you bring me a glass of water?
Please bring your passport to the appointment.
take
Use take for movement away or to another destination: take it there. The intended viewpoint matters.
Take these books to the library.
I'll take the kids to school today.
carry
Use carry for holding or supporting something while moving it, without specifying towards or away.
She can carry the box herself, but it's heavy.
He carried the suitcase up the stairs.
get
Use get for obtaining something or fetching it: go and get your coat.
Can you get me a coffee?
I need to get my charger from the car.
