become, get, go, turn in English – Common Errors

How to use become, get and turn correctly

The words ›become‹, ›get‹, ›go‹ and ›turn‹ are not always used correctly. We've listed some phrases which are wrong and some which are correct. Always use a good dictionary if you're not sure.

Correct phrase Common error
I got a present from him. I became a present from him.
When do I get my steak? When do I become my steak?
He got a shock when he saw his car. He became a shock when he saw his car.
The tea does him good. The tea becomes him good.
I want to become a teacher. I will a teacher.
He became famous. He would famous
We became friends. We were friends.
It became clear that she wanted to leave. It would clear that she wanted to leave.
It's getting dark. It will dark.
He turned red. He was red.
She went white when she saw the accident. She was white when she saw the accident.

The word ›get‹ is very common in spoken English, ›become‹ is more formal. German native speaker sometimes use ›become‹ in an incorrect way.