There’s a very subtle difference between the phrases “I get it” and “I got it.” It’s important to understand what they are, which is why we’ll be exploring them in this article and helping you out with them.
What Is The Difference Between “I Get It” And “I Got It”?
“I get it” should be used when you want to say that you’ve understood something in the present tense. “I got it” should be used when you want to say you understood something in the past tense, but you’re only just mentioning that it’s understood.
Generally, we say “I get it” or “I got it” when someone is explaining something to us. We might use “I get it” when we’re not understanding a concept and only say it after finally realizing what’s being explained.
In a similar way, we might use “I got it” when we begin to understand something while it’s explained. However, we might hold off on announcing this understanding until we’re certain, which is why it’s kept in the past tense until we announce it.
It’s also worth mentioning that both phrases are used interchangeably by native speakers.
Is “I Get It” Or “I Got It” Used The Most?
Since you can use the phrases interchangeably, that makes it interesting to find out what the differences in usage might be. We looked at the most common uses of the phrases in literature to find out more about them.
If you look at this graph, you’ll see how popular both phrases are. They’ve always been used in roughly the same way, with a very close trend line on the graph throughout the last 200 years. “I get it” is slightly more popular, but both work and are used frequently.
Some people prefer using “I get it” over “I got it” because it seems more grammatically correct over the two. Generally, when we use the past tense “got,” we need an auxiliary verb like “have” to make it work in a sentence.
Since we use “got” in “I got it,” many people believe “have” should be included too, making “I have got it” or “I’ve got it” the more acceptable choice. However, this isn’t necessarily the case.
Both “I got it” and “I’ve got it” are correct and work interchangeably. “I got it” is now more popular because it’s quicker and easier to write than it would be to include the “-ve.” Still, that might be part of the reason why “I get it” wins when you look at the graph above.
Can “I Get It” And “I Got It” Be Used Interchangeably?
As we’ve previously mentioned, the two phrases are great when used synonymously. Whether you’re talking about understanding something in the present or previously understanding something while it’s being explained, you can use either one if you want to.
Both phrases are interchangeable, and you can use whichever one you prefer the look or sound of.
For example, if we look at the following question:
- Did you get that?
We’re asking if somebody “gets” something, which literally means “do you understand.” To reply to this, you might think “I get it” is the only option because we use “get” in the question. However, this isn’t the case.
- I get it. (We use this statement to say we’ve understood what they were explaining to us).
- I got it. (We also use this statement in the same way).
This shows you how interchangeable the two phrases are. It’s up to you which one you prefer when it comes to actually write them. You might agree with the general population and use “I get it” more commonly (as seen in the graph in the section above), but if you prefer “I got it,” you can use that instead.
Should You Use “I Got It” Or “Got It”?
Let’s go even further and look at omitting further words from the phrase.
Both “I got it” and “got it” are correct in a sentence. However, “got it” is more casual, meaning you can only use it in the most casual sense. “I got it” is still considered informal, but it’s slightly more formal than “got it” would be.
It’s up to you how you use them. Generally, “got it” is seen as lazy because you’re not including the pronoun “I” to talk about yourself having it. While this isn’t all that relevant in speaking, it makes a huge difference in written English.
A general rule of thumb to follow is saying “got it” to friends when you’re speaking to them or texting them. However, if you’re writing the phrase, then make sure you say “I got it” or “I get it” to show a little more formality. It just makes more sense to be done in this way, and the readers will appreciate it more.
- Does that make sense?
- Yes, I got it.
- Do you understand?
- Got it.
Both of these exchanges are correct but should be used in different scenarios. Make sure you know your audience before saying “got it.”
7 Examples Of How To Use “I Get It” In A Sentence
It’s important to know how the phrases are used in sentences, so we thought we’d show you some example exchanges you might have before using the phrase “I get it.”
- Do you get what I’ve just told you?
- I get it, thanks.
- Do I need to say more?
- No, I get it!
- Do you understand what I’m saying?
- I get it, thank you!
- Do you need clarification?
- No thanks, I get it.
- Does that make sense?
- Yes, I get it now.
- Are you following?
- Yes, I get it.
- Do you need any more help?
- No, I think I get it now.
As you can see from these exchanges, we can either answer “yes” to a positive question or “no” to a negative question. Either way, we can always say “I get it” afterward to let someone know that we finally understand what they’re talking about.
These are the most common exchanges you’ll see with “I get it” as a phrase. We included various responses that work well, so take your pick of which “I get it” and “thanks” combination works best for you.
Also, if you replace any of the responses with “I got it,” the sentence’s meaning will stay the same.
7 Examples Of How To Use “I Got It” In A Sentence
Just because “I get it” and “I got it” are interchangeable doesn’t mean they always need to be. Let’s look at a few examples of exchanges to show when “I got it” might be used.
- Do you understand me?
- I got it; you don’t need to say anymore.
- Is this making sense?
- Yes, I got it about five minutes ago.
- Do you need any help?
- No thanks, I got it now.
- Is there anything else I can do to help you?
- Nope, I got it, and I just need to get through now.
- Are you with me?
- Yes, I got it ages ago. Can I leave now?
- Got it?
- Yes, I got it. Thanks so much.
- Can I help?
- No thanks, I got it.
As you can see, “I got it” in this sense is used more to show that we’ve already understood something and no longer need help with explanations or anything.
Generally, “I got it” in this way is seen as more impatient. It’s also considered ruder, which is why we use “I get it” and “I got it” in the same sense to take away that rude connotation.
“I Get It” And “I Got It” – Synonyms
Synonyms and alternatives are a great way to understand the meaning of words. It also helps to expand your vocabulary and potentially give you more freedom in choosing which words you use when you’re speaking and writing.
- Makes sense to me.
We use this phrase in an informal manner to say that we understand something. It works well in a casual sense but shouldn’t be used formally for any reason.
- I’m with you.
Again, this is a very casual saying, but it works really well to use in informal situations.
- I understand.
This is the more formal saying that you should use when you’re following along with something. Make sure you let them know you understand what they’re explaining.
Is It Rude To Say “Got It”?
Generally, it’s not rude to say “got it” when you’re saying it in a casual sense to some friends.
If you use “got it” formally, then it’s considered lazy and rude. You should never use “got it” when you’re writing formal pieces. It should only be used in informal conversation.
What Does “Get It All” Mean?
Finally, let’s look at the saying “get it all.”
“Get it all” means you’ve fully understood everything that someone has explained to you. It means they’ve explained it well, and you’re ready to apply your knowledge.
It’s also common to see the phrase followed by the word “together.”
“Get it all together” works in the same way but means you’re well-prepared for an event or activity.
You may also like: “I Got” vs. “I’ve Got” vs. “I Have” – Complete Usage Guide
Martin holds a Master’s degree in Finance and International Business. He has six years of experience in professional communication with clients, executives, and colleagues. Furthermore, he has teaching experience from Aarhus University. Martin has been featured as an expert in communication and teaching on Forbes and Shopify. Read more about Martin here.
