The days are getting shorter, the evenings are getting cooler and the leaves are beginning to change colour. Autumn is here!

Autumn is also a natural time to think about change. Perhaps you’ve started a new course, returned to work after the summer, moved to a new city or simply decided to make some changes to your daily routine.

In English, there are lots of useful expressions for talking about change. Here are 10 that you can start using this autumn.

1. Get back into the swing of things

This means to return to your normal routine after a break.

It took me a couple of weeks to get back into the swing of things after my holiday.

You might use this expression after a summer break, a holiday or even a long weekend.

2. Turn over a new leaf

This means to make a fresh start and change your behaviour or habits.

I’ve decided to turn over a new leaf and start speaking English every day.

It’s particularly useful when talking about personal goals.

3. Make a fresh start

This simply means to begin again, often with a positive attitude.

September felt like a good time to make a fresh start.

You can use it in lots of different situations, from work and study to personal goals.

4. Get into a routine

When you establish a regular pattern of activities, you get into a routine.

It took me a while to get into a routine with my English lessons.

This is a particularly useful expression for language learners because regular practice is often more effective than studying occasionally for long periods.

5. Get back on track

If you’ve stopped making progress or haven’t been doing something as planned, you can get back on track.

I didn’t practise much English during August, but I’m getting back on track now.

You can use this expression for work, studying, fitness, finances and many other areas of life.

6. Pick up where you left off

This means to continue something from the point where you stopped.

I haven’t spoken much English over the summer, but I’m ready to pick up where I left off.

Notice that we usually use where you left off rather than simply saying “continue”.

7. Ease into something

If you ease into something, you start gradually rather than doing everything immediately.

I’m easing back into my English studies after the summer.

This can be useful when talking about returning to work, exercise or studying after a break.

8. Adapt to something

To adapt to something means to change your behaviour or approach so that you can deal with a new situation.

It took me a few weeks to adapt to working in an international team.

This is a useful expression for professional English.

9. A change of pace

A change of pace is something different from your usual routine or activities.

Spending a weekend by the coast was a welcome change of pace after a busy month at work.

You can use this expression when talking about holidays, weekends, work and lifestyle.

10. Look ahead

To look ahead means to think about and plan for the future.

I’m looking ahead to the next few months and thinking about my English goals.

You can use it when talking about both short-term and long-term plans.

Put the expressions into practice

Imagine you’ve just returned to work after the summer.

How could you use some of these expressions?

For example:

It was difficult to get back into the swing of things at first, but I’ve got back into a routine now. I’m looking ahead to the next few months and I’ve decided to make a fresh start with my English.

Now write your own paragraph using at least three expressions from the article.

Your Autumn English Challenge

Autumn doesn’t have to mean making huge changes to your English.

Choose one small habit that you can maintain until the end of the year.

You could:

• Speak English for 10 minutes every day.
• Read one English article each week.
• Join a conversation group.
• Watch a film or TV programme in English.
• Learn five useful expressions every week.

The important thing is to choose something realistic and stick with it.

By December, you may be surprised by how much progress you’ve made.

What will you change this autumn?

Complete this sentence:

“This autumn, I’m going to…”

Then try to use one of today’s expressions in your answer.