are becoming

USAGE SUMMARY

"are becoming" is correct and usable in written English.
You can use it when describing a process of change from one state or condition to another. For example: "The number of people interested in environmental issues are becoming increasingly higher."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

Shops are becoming emptier.

The Economist

Things are becoming uncertain".

The New York Times - Tech

Outsourcees are becoming outsourcers.

The New York Times

German companies are becoming nervous.

The New York Times

Some politicians are becoming skeptical.

The New York Times

Suppliers are becoming less accommodating.

The Economist

Reprisal killings are becoming routine.

The New York Times

Girls are becoming more assertive.

The Economist

The Palestinians are becoming secondary".

The New York Times

Women are becoming politically active".

The Guardian

Conflicts are becoming more protracted.

The Economist

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When describing the gradual progression, consider using adverbs like increasingly, gradually, or slowly to emphasize the pace of change.

Common error

Avoid using "are becoming" to describe a completed action or a state that has already been achieved. Ensure the context indicates an ongoing process rather than a finished one.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "are becoming" functions as a present continuous verb phrase, indicating an action or state that is currently in progress. Ludwig AI's examples show its use in describing ongoing changes across various contexts.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

74%

Science

14%

Formal & Business

6%

Less common in

Academia

1%

Encyclopedias

0%

Wiki

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "are becoming" is a versatile present continuous verb phrase used to describe ongoing changes and developments. As Ludwig AI confirms, its grammatical function is clear, and its applications are widespread across various contexts, especially in news and media. The phrase maintains a neutral register, making it suitable for both formal and informal communications. When using "are becoming", ensure that the subject is plural and that the context clearly indicates an action in progress. Remember to choose alternatives based on the specific nuance you want to convey.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

are evolving into

Highlights a gradual development into a different, often more complex, form.

are turning into

Indicates a transformation from one state or condition to another, often implying a complete change.

are developing into

Focuses on the gradual growth and progress toward a more advanced or mature state.

are transforming into

Emphasizes a significant and dramatic change in form or appearance.

are growing into

Suggests a natural progression or maturation over time.

are progressing towards

Implies movement or advancement toward a specific goal or outcome.

are shaping up to be

Indicates that something is gradually forming and taking a particular shape or form.

are emerging as

Highlights the gradual appearance or rise of something new or noteworthy.

are getting to be

Conveys a gradual increase in a particular quality or characteristic.

are starting to be

Implies the initial stages of a change or development.

FAQs

How do I use "are becoming" in a sentence?

Use "are becoming" to describe an ongoing process or a gradual change. For example, "The days "are becoming shorter"" indicates that the length of the days is currently decreasing.

What are some alternatives to "are becoming"?

You can use alternatives like "are evolving into", "are turning into", or "are developing into" depending on the specific nuance you want to convey.

Is it correct to say "is becoming" instead of "are becoming"?

No, "is becoming" is used with singular subjects, while "are becoming" is used with plural subjects. For example, "He is becoming a doctor" is correct, while "They "are becoming doctors"" is correct.

What is the difference between "are becoming" and "have become"?

"Are becoming" describes an ongoing process of change, while "have become" indicates that a change has been completed. For example, "They are becoming more experienced" means they are in the process of gaining experience, while "They "have become experts"" means they have already reached the level of expertise.