became a staple

USAGE SUMMARY

"became a staple" is a correct and usable phrase in written English.
You can use it to describe something that has become a fixed or essential part of something else. For example: - "Over the years, sushi has become a staple in American cuisine." - "The Internet has become a staple in modern communication." - "Coffee has long been a staple in the daily routines of many people." - "The classic black dress has become a staple in every woman's wardrobe."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Encyclopedias

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

The spot soon became a staple.

The New York Times

The handbag bit became a staple of the show.

The New York Times - Arts

When players' personal lives became a staple of sports news.

The New York Times

The event became a staple of the English "season".

The New Yorker

It later became a staple of the Reagan White House.

The New York Times

The "bug-eyed monster" became a staple of science fiction.

Encyclopedia Britannica

That volume became a staple textbook for art education.

Encyclopedia Britannica

So it became a staple of our show.

The Washington Post

It became a staple of "The O'Reilly Factor" in 2006.

The New York Times - Arts

Later, it became a staple for civic portraiture.

The New York Times

Music became a staple of his new show.

The Guardian - Music

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "became a staple" to indicate that something has transitioned into being a regular, essential, or fundamental component of a larger context. For example, "Online shopping became a staple of modern life".

Common error

Avoid using "became a staple" when describing something that is only temporarily popular or essential. This phrase best suits elements that have achieved a long-term, integrated status. For example, is more precise to state "face masks quickly gained popularity due to Covid 19 pandemic" instead of "face masks became a staple during the pandemic".

Linguistic Context

The phrase "became a staple" functions as a predicate in a sentence, indicating a change in status to something essential or fundamental. Examples from Ludwig showcase it describing how something transitioned to being a key element, as confirmed by Ludwig.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

55%

Encyclopedias

22%

Wiki

10%

Less common in

Science

6%

Arts

4%

Formal & Business

3%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "became a staple" is a common and grammatically sound way to express that something has transitioned into being an essential or fundamental part of something else. Ludwig confirms its correct usage across a wide array of contexts, primarily in news and media, encyclopedias, and to a lesser extent, scientific and formal writing. While versatile, overuse in limited contexts should be avoided, as the phrase best describes long-term, integrated elements. Alternatives like "became essential" or "became fundamental" can provide subtle shifts in meaning. As Ludwig AI confirms, the phrase effectively conveys a sense of established importance or regularity.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

became a fixture

Emphasizes its permanent presence and integration.

became essential

Focuses on the necessity aspect rather than the establishment as a regular part.

became fundamental

Highlights the foundational importance, slightly more formal.

became a standard

Emphasizes conformity and widespread acceptance.

became commonplace

Indicates ordinariness and frequency of occurrence.

became ingrained

Suggests deep entrenchment and difficulty to change.

became routine

Focuses on the habitual nature.

was established

Highlights the act of setting up or creating something permanently.

became deeply rooted

Indicates strong establishment and difficulty in removal.

became a tradition

Highlights the aspect of being passed down and culturally significant.

FAQs

How can I use "became a staple" in a sentence?

You can use "became a staple" to describe something that has become a fundamental or essential part of something else. For example, "Smartphones "became a staple" in modern communication".

What's a good alternative to "became a staple"?

Alternatives include "became essential", "became fundamental", or "became a standard", depending on the specific nuance you want to convey.

Is it correct to say "become a staple" instead of "became a staple"?

No, "become a staple" is the infinitive form and usually needs a helping verb. "Became a staple" is the past tense and is correct when describing something that has already transitioned into being a staple.

What does it mean when something "became a staple"?

It means that something has transitioned into being a regular, essential, or fundamental component of a larger context. It implies that it's now a standard or necessary part of something.