When I get old vs When I become old

Both phrases are correct, but they are used in slightly different contexts. 'When I get old' is more commonly used in everyday language to talk about the future, while 'when I become old' sounds more formal and is less commonly used in casual conversations.

Last updated: March 29, 2024 • 1163 views

This phrase is correct and commonly used in everyday language to talk about the future.

"When I get old"

This phrase is used to refer to a future time when the speaker will be old. It is a common expression in casual conversations.

Examples:

I want to travel the world when I get old.
When I get old, I hope to have a peaceful life.
I'll retire and relax when I get old.
When I get old, I plan to spend more time with my family.
I'll move to a warmer place when I get old.

Show examples from the web [+]

When I get old, I'm going back to Senegal.
I'd rather had daughters, who could care for me when I get old.
Then when I get old enough to sleep in it, he could sleep down here.
"And when I get old and beauty vanishes?"
When I get too old for that, they'll be shoveling dirt in my face.
You're totally the kind of doctor I want to be When I get super old.
And what happens when I start to get old?
When you get old I will take care of you.
When I finally get out the old lady's sorry to see me back because my dad's loaded all the time.
When did I get so old and stiff?
When I get married to my old lady, I got no idea that this guy comes in the same package, that it's a package deal, and for 11 long years, I got this crumb tied around my neck.
I knew I was getting old, but when did I get too old?
I just keep getting shorter, as I get old.
I'll lose energy as I get old
Even if I get old and wrinkled?
Taking orders gets old, brother.
To be an action actor surpassing Jackie Chan and make movies 'til I get old and die.
Bottom line is I get old really, really slowly.
And when I get to waddlin' about like an old duck, ~ he might forget he ever liked me at all.
When I get out of jail, I'm 36 years old...

Alternatives:

when I become old
when I grow old
when I reach old age
when I age
when I am old

This phrase is correct but less commonly used in casual conversations. It sounds more formal.

"When I become old"

This phrase is also used to refer to a future time when the speaker will be old, but it sounds more formal and less common in everyday language.

Examples:

I will travel the world when I become old.
When I become old, I hope to have achieved all my goals.
I plan to retire when I become old.
When I become old, I want to live near the beach.
I'll move to a quieter place when I become old.

Show examples from the web [+]

When did I become an old man baffled by modern technology?
I'm sad to say that couch and I become old friends.
But China is aging fast - and could become old before it becomes rich.
And our pictures will become old photographs.
In my view, the stereotype of old age has itself become old and bears no relation to contemporary society.
Machines don't work when they become old like me.
As long as I remained spontaneous, playful, and carefree, I would never become old.
Men can't commit because, eventually, we all become Old Cows.
Now that you've all become old friends, let's see what we got here.
Cultures are products of structures and systems, and the structures and systems have become old.
And then they become old, sick, and you have to heal them.
But time waits for no man: one day the young people will become old people as well; the young researchers will also grow old and, it is to be hoped, pensioners.
Now say that becomes old hat, you can add some elements:
So will new power elites just become old power and squeeze?
Forty. They become old right away when they reach forty.
If you start to worry, you'll become old and ugly
Then I become an old lady and I die?
So will new power elites just become old power and squeeze?
And when they get sick, become old, and have all the money and power... in order to find their health and youth again, they spend all of the wealth they've wasted so much energy and time to accumulate.
Well, to wake up from that after years, after decades... to become old souls thrown back into youth like that?

Alternatives:

when I get old
when I grow old
when I reach old age
when I age
when I am old

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When I get old vs When I become old

"When I get old"

"When I become old"

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