You can use “get” + adjective to describe a type of change. When you use it this way, it can mean “become”.
Use “get” + adjective instead of using a reflexive pronoun. For example, say “get involved” rather than “involve myself”. This will make you sound more natural when you speak English.
Here are some examples of “get” + adjective in categories.
Marital Status
get engaged = when you “officially” decide to marry someone
“They got engaged last week and they’ll probably get married next year.”
get married = when you marry someone
“We got married two years ago.”
get divorced = when you legally separate from your wife / husband
“Her parents got divorced when she was a child.”
Physical Changes
get ill = become ill
“He got ill on the camping trip.”
get pregnant = become pregnant
“She was delighted when she got pregnant for the second time.”
get old / get older = the process of becoming old
“He’s getting a bit old now and find the stairs difficult.”
We also have the expression “not getting any younger” to mean the same thing. “I can’t stay up late any more – I’m not getting any younger you know!”
get tired = become tired
“I get tired after about 10 pm.”
get hungry = become hungry
“He always gets hungry before lunch.”
get thirsty = become thirsty
“I’m getting thirsty. I need to buy a bottle of water.”
get hurt / get injured = become physically injured
“A few people got hurt when they all tried to leave the concert at once.”
get killed = be killed
“He got killed in a car crash just before Christmas.”
get dressed / get undressed = put on / take off clothes
“It takes her ages to get dressed in the morning.”
“I got undressed and put on my pyjamas.”
Changes In Your Situation
get started = start
“We need to get started on the project as soon as possible.”
get ready = prepare
“I’m getting ready for my next trip abroad.”
get involved = become involved
“I don’t want to get involved in their argument.”
get rich = become rich
“They got rich through their oil deals.”
(We also say “get-rich-quick schemes”.)
get lost = lose your way
“I got completely lost in the centre of Paris.”
(Also: “get lost” = “go away!”)
Changes In Your Emotions & Feelings
We often use “get” with negative emotions.
get sad = become sad
“I always get a little sad when I see these photos.”
get depressed = become very sad
“He got very depressed at the situation.”
get angry = become angry
“When I tried to discuss the situation with him, he got angry.”
get upset = become angry or sad
“When he told her she’d failed the exam, she got very upset.”
get defensive = try to defend yourself
“I tried to talk to him about his attitude, but he just got defensive.”
get excited = become excited
“My children always get excited before Christmas.”
Environmental Changes
get light = when the day starts
“It gets light earlier in summer.”
get dark = when the day ends
“What time does it get dark in December?”
get late = when you need to leave an event or a person
“It’s getting a bit late – I’d better go. Thank you for a lovely evening!”
General Change
get better = when a situation improves
“The weather is getting better.”
“My brother is getting better after his accident.”
get worse = when a situation becomes more serious
“His cough is getting worse. He should see a doctor.”
Speak English More Naturally
A quick way to speak English more naturally is to use common expressions like the “get” phrases above.
In my fluency program Real English Conversations, I show you the most common collocations and expressions in spoken English.