Overusing and misusing get | Part 2
Get is a very common verb in English, but it is not always appropriate for talking about changes. Note also alternatives to get which can improve your style.
Get and become Get and become can often be used with the same collocations, but become is more formal and is therefore more appropriate in essays:
She gave up smoking when she became pregnant.
I would like to become involved in raising money for charity.
The same is true for collocations with adjectives such as angry, bored, excited, depressed, upset, impatient, violent:
He became depressed after his wife’s death.
Become, not get
, is used with the following: extinct, (un)popular, homeless, famous.
Our local baker’s has become famous for its apple tarts.
Alternatives to get and become
She fell ill and was taken to hospital.
Everyone fell silent when they heard the shocking news.
As my father grew older, he spent less time working.
The noise grew louder and soon we realised it was a plane approaching.