I'd like to ______ in (good) shape

hirashin

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• 21 Nov 2015

• #1

Dear native English speakers, would you help me?
I'd like to _____ in (good) shape.
Which word(s) would be appropriate in the blank, be, stay, keep, get, or become ?

Would "good" be optional before "shape"?

Hirashin

 

mdchachi

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• 21 Nov 2015

• #2

They all sound fine to me except "become." You're right, "good" is ok but optional.

 

J

johnnyG

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• 22 Nov 2015

• #3

"become" is wrong, but add "be" to your list, e.g., "I'd like to be in (better) shape (by spring)."

The others are okay. "Better" is pretty common: "I don't need to be in good shape, but I'd (at least) like to be in better shape.

 

hirashin

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• 27 Nov 2015

• Thread starter
• #4

Thanks for the help, mdchachi and johnnyG.
JohnnyG says that "become" is wrong. What do you think, mdchachi?
JohnnyG, I already put "be" on my list.

Hirashin

 

WonkoTheSane

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• 28 Nov 2015

• #5

I agree, 'become' doesn't work.

 

mdchachi

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• 29 Nov 2015

• #6

hirashin said:

Thanks for the help, mdchachi and johnnyG.
JohnnyG says that "become" is wrong. What do you think, mdchachi?
JohnnyG, I already put "be" on my list.

Hirashin

Click to expand...

Actually I said so in my original reply. They all sound fine except "become." So I think we all agree.

 

hirashin

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• 1 Dec 2015

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• #7

Thanks for the help,Mdchachi, jonnyG and Wonko. You wouldn't say "become in (good) shape)". OK.

How about this one? Which one would be suitable in the blank?
I'd like to ______ healthy.
( be, stay, keep, get, become )

Hirashin

 

S

SomeCallMeChris

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• 1 Dec 2015

• #8

'keep' and 'get' sound slightly off to me, perhaps not wrong, just not something that is usually said.
be, stay and become are certainly fine.
All of them sound somewhat like they come from a textbook, but I think they could happen in a polite conversation.

 

mdchachi

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• 2 Dec 2015

• #9

hirashin said:

Thanks for the help,Mdchachi, jonnyG and Wonko. You wouldn't say "become in (good) shape)". OK.

How about this one? Which one would be suitable in the blank?
I'd like to ______ healthy.
( be, stay, keep, get, become )

Hirashin

Click to expand...

I think they're all ok. As Chris says some sound more natural than others.