applying to become

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "applying to become" is correct and usable in written English.
You can usually use it when inquiring about a job or when discussing a process for becoming a member of an organization. For example: "I am applying to become a member of the local library."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Academia

Formal & Business

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

Fewer candidates were applying to become analysts.

The New York Times - Arts

I thought seriously about applying to become her foster mother.

The New York Times

Is Ernst & Young considering applying to become Enron's auditor?

The New York Times

(Serbia is in the process of applying to become an E.U. member).

The New York Times

(6) The name and address of the individual who is applying to become a VA chaplain.

Cornell University

Those applying to become REFS must complete the training at the Tier 3 level.

Massachusetts Institute of Technology

So it is a surprise when her father tells her that he is applying to become an Episcopal priest.

The New Yorker

The episode caused Stephenson to consider not applying to become Blair's successor, despite being Boris and Malthouse's preferred candidate.

The Guardian

He then made the choice that shaped the rest of his life: applying to become a test pilot.

The Guardian

Google, which last year rolled out Chrome, a competing browser, said it was also applying to become a "third party" in the European proceeding.

The New York Times - Tech

A comment summoning Germany, 1933, is not what you want on your résumé when applying to become cultural conciliator-in-chief. That's not all.

The New York Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "applying to become" when you want to describe the action of formally requesting or starting the process of achieving a certain status, role, or membership. It accurately conveys the intention and procedure involved.

Common error

Avoid using "applying for" when the sentence intends to convey transformation into a new state or role. "Applying for" typically refers to requesting something, like a job or grant, but not necessarily transforming into something else. Use "applying to become" to emphasize the change in status or role.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "applying to become" functions as a verbal phrase indicating the action of formally seeking a new state, role, or membership. Ludwig provides several examples demonstrating its use in various contexts, such as "applying to become a citizen" or "applying to become a teacher".

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

65%

Academia

15%

Formal & Business

10%

Less common in

Wiki

5%

Science

5%

Social Media

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "applying to become" is a common and grammatically correct way to describe the act of seeking a new status, role, or membership. As evidenced by Ludwig's examples, it is frequently used in news, academic, and formal business contexts. When using this phrase, it's important to emphasize the transformative aspect of the process, distinguishing it from merely "applying for" something. Remember that "applying to become" suggests a change in state or role, while "applying for" simply refers to requesting something. According to Ludwig, this phrase maintains a neutral tone suitable for various settings.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

seeking to become

Emphasizes the active search and desire to attain a certain role.

attempting to become

Highlights the effort and potential challenges involved in the process.

in the process of becoming

Focuses on the ongoing nature of the transformation.

taking steps to become

Illustrates the actions taken towards achieving a new status.

endeavoring to become

Implies a more formal and determined effort.

working towards becoming

Shows continuous effort and direction towards a goal.

aiming to transform into

Focuses on the intention to change into something different.

undertaking to qualify as

Highlights the commitment to meet the requirements of a new role.

pursuing the path to become

Emphasizes the journey and steps taken to achieve the desired status.

bidding for a position as

Suggests competitive element.

FAQs

How to use "applying to become" in a sentence?

You can use "applying to become" to describe someone who is in the process of seeking a new status or role, for example: "She is "applying to become" a doctor".

What can I say instead of "applying to become"?

You can use alternatives like "seeking to become", "attempting to become", or "in the process of becoming" depending on the context.

Which is correct, "applying for" or "applying to become"?

"Applying for" is used when requesting something, while "applying to become" is used when seeking a change in status or role. For example, you apply for a job, but you are "applying to become" a member.

What's the difference between "applying to become" and "applying for"?

The phrase "applying to become" indicates a transformation or progression into a new state, such as "applying to become" a citizen, while "applying for" simply means requesting something, like applying for a loan.