How to express CHANGE in English | Vocabulary lesson

There are many ways to describe change in English. This vocabulary lesson explains some of the most common structures and expressions:

become + adjective
=to begin to be something

become + noun phrase
become is an irregular verb.
The past participle is also become. The past simple is became.

get + adjective
= to begin to be something
("get" is more informal than "become")

get + infinitive
= to describe a gradual or progressive change.
(to begin to do something new)
(to begin to feel something new)
2 common examples are:
1) get to like something or someone.
This means to begin to like something or someone.
2) get to know someone.
This means to make someone's aquaintance, to meet someone and gradually learn more about them through conversation.


go + colour
We use "go" (not "get") to describe changes of colour.


go + adjective
We use "go" (not "get") to describe changes for the worse:
Examples for people are "go bald" and "go blind".
Examples for food are "go bad" and "go stale".


come + infinitive
= to describe a change in attitude.
1) come to realise
2) come to regret
He came to regret leaving his job.


turn + adjective
= to describe a highly visible change of state.
It is common before colour adjectives. ("turn" is more formal than "go" + colour)
Example:
She turned red and started crying.

turn into + noun
=to transform into someone else (or something else)
(a dramatic change in the nature of someone (or something)
Example:
Hollywood turns true stories into films.


fall + adjective
There are 2 common expressions with "fall" that mean "become" (to start to be):
"fall asleep" and "fall ill"


fall is an irregular verb in English.

The past simple is fell and the past participle is fallen.


This class contains lot of examples with pictures and English subtitles to help you understand.


Other lessons:

Phrasal verbs with GET: youtube.com/watch?v=SgTkunIpxHo
English expressions with CARE: youtube.com/watch?v=VKCxkArjqh8

Playlists:

General advice: youtube.com/playlist?list=PL6BDo90oiwpQiPot5bKF…
Grammar: youtube.com/playlist?list=PL6BDo90oiwpS4_AM1c0s…
Listening practice: youtube.com/playlist?list=PL6BDo90oiwpRdmnAzmYw…
Vocabulary: youtube.com/playlist?list=PL6BDo90oiwpTlYAYSitj…

Private online English lessons & speaking practice: goo.gl/SEIjDD

Andrew,
Crown Academy of English

crownacademyenglish.com
twitter.com/Crown_English
youtube.com/user/CrownAcademyEnglish


Photo credits by FreeDigitalPhotos.net:

“Thoughtful Business Person” by stockimages
“Student With Books And Bag” by imagerymajestic
“Man Sitting At A Table Waiting For Food” by Tuomas_Lehtinen
“Man Shivering In Cold Winter” by alexisdc
“Cheers! Let's Celebrate Together” by stockimages
“African Male Showing Thumbs Up” by stockimages
“Depressed Man” by artur84
“Mouldy Bread” by photoexplorer
“stressed Businessman in office” by imagerymajestic
"Blushing" By Valerie Hinojosa [CC BY-SA 2.0 (creativecommons.org/licenses/by-sa/2.0)], via Wikimedia Commons
“Man Sleeping On The Couch” by artur84
“Sick Woman With A Cup Of Tea” by marin
“Girl with Headphones” by mrsiraphol

Photo credits by freeimages.com:
"Going bald" by /photographer/proc-45356