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Which one to use?Intermediateverboverbo
GetvsBecome
"Get" signals an informal or quick change; "become" signals a formal or gradual one.
Side-by-side comparison
Get
verboTo reach a new state. Informal and extremely common in spoken English.
I got tired after the long meeting.
She got angry when she heard the news.
It is getting cold outside. Bring a jacket.
Become
verboTo come to be something different. Formal or for significant gradual changes.
She became a doctor after years of study.
The situation became very complicated.
He became the president of the company.
Common mistake
- •Spanish speakers overuse "become" because Spanish uses "convertirse/volverse/ponerse" for all changes.
- •In spoken English, "get" is far more natural for temporary states or emotions: "get tired", "get angry", "get cold".
- •"Become tired" or "become angry" sounds overly formal.
Trick to remember it
- •Would you say "ponerse + adjective" in Spanish (ponerse cansado, nervioso)? Use "get" in English.
- •Would you say "convertirse en + noun" (become a doctor, become a problem)? Use "become".
Quick rule
- •"Get" + adjective = quick or informal change.
- •"Become" + noun = change of identity or role.
Did you know?
"Get" is one of the most polysemous verbs in English, it has over 40 distinct meanings in the Oxford dictionary. It is so versatile that some British English textbooks once called it "the dirty verb" and advised avoiding it in favor of more precise verbs. Today it is completely natural and necessary. The expression "I get it" (I understand) is one of the most used in current informal English and has no direct translation in many languages, a "get" meaning to understand, not to receive.
Practise what you learned
Exercise 1 · Pick the right one
It's _____ ing cold outside. You should take a jacket.
Exercise 2 · Pick the right one
She wants to _____ a doctor when she finishes university.
Exercise 3 · Form the word
Related word pairs
DovsPlay
"Do" is for individual sports and activities; "play" is for team sports and games with opponents.
RisevsRaise
One rises by itself, the other you raise with your own effort.
AbovevsOver
"Above" is at a higher level without contact; "over" implies covering, movement, or crossing.
ActuallyvsReally
"Actually" corrects or contrasts an assumption; "really" intensifies or confirms.
Bryan López
Founder of SpeakUP Academy