What is the difference in meaning between "have a seat" and "get a seat" in the following sentence
:: source : Alexander and the Terrible, Horrible, No Good, Very Bad Day by JUDITH VIORST
In the car pool Mrs. Gibson let Becky have a seat by the window.
Audrey and Elliott got seats by the window too.
?
What is the difference in meaning between "Mrs. Gibson let Becky have a seat by the window" and "Mrs. Gibson let Becky get a seat by the window" ?
What is the difference in meaning between "Audrey and Elliott got seats by the window" and "Audrey and Elliott had seats by the window"
Best Answer
"Have a seat" is generally either an offer (e.g. "Please, have a seat") or direction/instruction (e.g. "You're late; have a seat"; "Take a seat" is interchangeable for either example.
"He/she had a seat" isn't ordinarily the same as using got or took - it's more typical for had to be used in a more complex phrase, like "He/she had [a seat] reserved ahead of time", or for something that is consumed, like "He/she had a drink."
Additionally, "Get seats" or "Get a seat" would be most appropriate to a request/direction given by Person A to Person(s) B(+) in a situation where
seats are not assigned, i.e. 'general admission' or 'first-come-first-served';
Person B will be arriving sooner than Person A
Hence, "Quickly, go get seats while I park the car" or "Would you mind getting us some seats near the aisle?" (Save and grab are also frequently used in this context.)