Learn English – How often is the expression “get on well” used? Is there any difference with “get along”

american-englishbritish-englishexpressionsword-usage

I have been talking with a person from US and when I said something like this:

They do not get on well with others

She didn´t understand me at first, but later she said that was a funny sentence and they do not used to say like that.

Another example with this expression:

Choose people who are likely to be with the CMC for some time, who are steady and reliable and get on well with others.

I know there is another phrasal verb used for this purpose: get along

Now almost everybody likes to play and get along with each other

  • Is the expression "get on well" used with the same meaning in UK and US?
  • Is there any different shade of meaning between both expressions?
  • How often are both expressions used in UK/US?

Note: There is the chance that she said something different because this happened time ago and I do not remember very well.

Best Answer

Both expressions have the same meaning, but there is a significant difference in frequency of use between the US and UK.

This NGram shows that get along with is the preferred expression in the US, and get on [well] with is the preferred expression in the UK.

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