‘be angry’ OR ‘get angry’?
In English, we often use be and get with personality adjectives, but they have slightly different meanings. Let’s explore how they’re used and when to choose each one!
Be + Personality Adjective
We use be with personality adjectives to describe stable personality traits. These are things that are normal for the person—it is a usual part of their personality.
• “She is an impatient woman. She never waits for anyone.”
• “She is a shy girl. She always mumbles.”
REMEMBER:
be = personality trait / usual behavior
Get + Personality Adjective
We use get with personality adjectives to show that this personality trait is temporary and occurs in a specific situation. It’s not normal, but happens sometimes.
• “He gets impatient when he walks behind slow people.”
• “He got shy when he had to do his presentation.”
REMEMBER:
get = a reaction or change in state/situation
Why This Matters:
Understanding the difference between be and get helps you communicate more accurately in English. It can show whether someone’s behavior is a regular part of their character or a response to a particular situation.
Quick Practice:
Try these sentences with be or get:
1. He _____ nervous before big exams. (temporary)
2. She _____ friendly and welcoming. (usual behavior)
3. They _____ frustrated when the internet is slow. (specific situation)
4. My friend _____ a patient listener. (stable trait)
Quick Summary:
• Be + adjective: Describes stable, usual personality traits.
• Get + adjective: Describes temporary reactions or changes in specific situations.
Using these structures correctly will help you express subtle differences in meaning and make your English sound more natural!
Answers:
gets
is
get
is