Get vs Become
Explore how “get” and “become” describe everyday changes, and discover when they share a meaning.
Preview
Questions with solutions-
1. Kies het juiste antwoord.
What is changing?
It's getting dark. We'd better turn on the lights.
- There is less natural light.
- There is more natural light.
- The amount of natural light is staying the same.
Why would they need to turn on the lights?
Show solution
- There is less natural light.
“Get” followed by an adjective can describe a change: “getting dark” means moving toward darkness.
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2. Vul het ontbrekende woord in.
The hikers had very little energy left.
After the long hike, we got ___ and needed to rest.
- tiring
- tired
- tire
The missing word describes how the hikers felt.
Show solution
After the long hike, we got tired and needed to rest.
People feel “tired.” A “tiring” activity makes them feel that way.
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3. Vul het ontbrekende woord in.
During yesterday's meeting, Noah ___ angry when he heard the news.
- become
- becoming
- became
The meeting happened in the past.
Show solution
During yesterday's meeting, Noah became angry when he heard the news.
“Became” is the simple past of “become.” There is no form “becomed.”
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4. Vul het ontbrekende woord in.
Look at the clouds! The sky is ___ darker.
- getting
- get
- got
The change is happening now, and “is” is already in the sentence.
Show solution
Look at the clouds! The sky is getting darker.
“Is getting” describes a change in progress. Notice the double “t” in “getting.”
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5. Kies het juiste antwoord.
What does the first “got” mean?
I got a coat because I was getting cold.
- Put on a coat
- Bought or received a coat
- Needed a coat
Notice the difference between “a coat” and “cold” after the verb.
Show solution
- Bought or received a coat
“Get a coat” means obtain one. “Get cold” describes a change in how someone feels.
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6. Kies het juiste antwoord.
What does “get ready” mean here?
We need to leave soon. Let's get ready: put on your shoes and pack your bag.
- Begin traveling
- Return from the trip
- Prepare for the trip
Packing a bag happens before leaving.
Show solution
- Prepare for the trip
“Get ready” means prepare. Being ready does not mean you have already started the activity.
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7. Vul het ontbrekende woord in.
With more practice, speaking English may ___ easier.
- became
- become
- becoming
Look at the word immediately before the gap.
Show solution
With more practice, speaking English may become easier.
After “may,” use the base form “become.” The same pattern works after “might” and “will.”
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8. Kies het juiste antwoord.
What does the notice tell us?
Tickets will become available on Monday. Today is Saturday.
- People can get tickets starting Monday.
- The event will take place on Monday.
- People will no longer be able to get tickets on Monday.
The notice gives information about the tickets, not the event date.
Show solution
- People can get tickets starting Monday.
“Become available” tells us when people can get or use something. It does not tell us when the event happens.
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9. Kies het juiste antwoord.
Which sentence has the same meaning?
Once the music stopped, the room got quiet.
- Once the music stopped, the room stayed noisy.
- The room was quiet before the music stopped.
- Once the music stopped, the room became quiet.
The original sentence describes a change from noise to quiet.
Show solution
- Once the music stopped, the room became quiet.
Both “get quiet” and “become quiet” can describe this change. “Get” is especially common in everyday conversation.
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10. Kies het juiste antwoord.
What does this tell us about the speaker's health?
I'm getting better, but I still have a fever.
- The speaker has completely recovered.
- The speaker's health is improving, but they are not fully well.
- The speaker is becoming more seriously ill.
Notice how “but” connects the improvement with a remaining problem.
Show solution
- The speaker's health is improving, but they are not fully well.
“Get better” describes improvement. It does not always mean that the problem has completely gone away.
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11. Vul het ontbrekende woord in.
The traffic is getting ___: there are more cars, and we're moving more slowly.
- worse
- worst
- badly
Compare the traffic now with the traffic earlier.
Show solution
The traffic is getting worse: there are more cars, and we're moving more slowly.
“Worse” compares two conditions. “Worst” describes the least good condition in a whole group.
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12. Kies het juiste antwoord.
What changed after they read the report?
After reading the report, we became aware of a problem that had existed for months.
- They caused a new problem.
- They solved the problem.
- They learned about an existing problem.
The problem was already there before they read the report.
Show solution
- They learned about an existing problem.
“Become aware of” describes a change in what someone knows, not necessarily a change in the situation itself.
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13. Kies het juiste antwoord.
What became clear?
At first, I didn't understand the plan. After Ana explained it, it became clear why we needed to leave early.
- The speaker could see the road more easily.
- The speaker understood the reason for leaving early.
- The group decided to leave later instead.
Here, “clear” is about an idea, not something you can see.
Show solution
- The speaker understood the reason for leaving early.
“Become clear” can mean that a reason or idea becomes easy to understand. Nothing has to change physically.
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14. Vul het ontbrekende woord in.
The traffic noise bothered me at first, but I'm getting used to ___ near a busy road.
- live
- lived
- living
In “get used to,” the word “to” works differently from “to” in “want to live.”
Show solution
The traffic noise bothered me at first, but I'm getting used to living near a busy road.
“Get used to” means something starts to feel normal. Before a verb, this expression takes an “-ing” form.
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15. Kies het juiste antwoord.
What do these examples show about the speed of a change?
The sky got darker little by little. In a few seconds, the screen became dark.
- Neither verb tells us the speed by itself.
- Get always describes a quick change.
- Become always describes a slow change.
Compare the verbs with the time phrases in each sentence.
Show solution
- Neither verb tells us the speed by itself.
Both verbs can describe fast or slow changes. Phrases like “little by little” and “in a few seconds” tell us the speed.