Used and loved by millions
Since I tried Ludwig back in 2017, I have been constantly using it in both editing and translation. Ever since, I suggest it to my translators at ProSciEditing.

Justyna Jupowicz-Kozak
CEO of Professional Science Editing for Scientists @ prosciediting.com
became across
Grammar usage guide and real-world examplesUSAGE SUMMARY
The phrase "became across" is not correct in English and does not convey a clear meaning.
It seems to be a mix-up of "came across," which is used to describe encountering or discovering something unexpectedly. Example: "While cleaning the attic, I came across an old photo album that brought back many memories."
⚠ May contain grammatical issues
News & Media
Science
Table of contents
Usage summary
Human-verified examples
Expert writing tips
Linguistic context
Ludwig's wrap-up
Alternative expressions
FAQs
Human-verified examples from authoritative sources
Exact Expressions
2 human-written examples
Except Stibbe wasn't an insider; and it was her amused and occasionally outraged bafflement at the goings-on in this alien milieu that became, across decades, a hand extended to the reader.
News & Media
These two became so intoxicated by how popular their anti-U.S., antiwar stand became across Europe, and in the whole world, that they went from legitimately demanding U.N. endorsement for any use of force in Iraq to blocking any U.N.-approved use of force -- effectively making France Saddam's lawyer and protector.
News & Media
Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources
Similar Expressions
58 human-written examples
If the Trump election showed how disenfranchised middle America felt in 2016, it also showed how disregarded business had become across many of the non-coastal states.
News & Media
The fact that populism is lifting its head out of the sand here, illustrates just how powerful the message of nationalism and isolationism has become across the West.
News & Media
What is striking about globalisation is, firstly, how pervasive it has become – across the globe and across sectors.
Science
We launched call blocking, and that became mandated across Canada.
News & Media
"But last fall, it became audible across the country," he said.
News & Media
He became famous across Europe as a pianist.
News & Media
If marijuana became legal across the U.S., wouldn't the price plummet, decimating profits?
News & Media
Despite the language barrier, the book eventually became popular across Europe.
News & Media
She became famous across Britain last year for her bolshie, big-voiced renditions of soul classics.
News & Media
Expert writing Tips
Best practice
Avoid using the phrase "became across" in formal writing. Opt for clearer and grammatically correct alternatives like "spread across", "became popular in", or "extended throughout" to enhance clarity and credibility.
Common error
Do not confuse "across" with prepositions like "in", "throughout", or "among". "Became" typically requires a preposition that indicates location, group, or scope. Using "became across" often results in an awkward and grammatically questionable sentence.
Source & Trust
87%
Authority and reliability
2.5/5
Expert rating
Real-world application tested
Linguistic Context
The phrase "became across" functions as a verb phrase with an adverbial preposition. However, based on Ludwig AI's analysis, this combination is generally considered grammatically incorrect. It attempts to describe a state of transition or spread, but does so in a non-standard way.
Frequent in
News & Media
60%
Science
40%
Formal & Business
0%
Less common in
Academia
0%
Encyclopedias
0%
Wiki
0%
Ludwig's WRAP-UP
The phrase "became across" is generally considered grammatically incorrect in standard English, as flagged by Ludwig AI. While it appears in various sources, including news and scientific articles, its usage is infrequent and non-standard. It seems to attempt to describe the spread or transformation of something, but better alternatives such as "spread across", "became popular in", or "extended throughout" are recommended for clarity and grammatical correctness. When writing, be mindful of the intended meaning and opt for more precise and widely accepted alternatives to avoid confusion.
More alternative expressions(6)
Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:
became prevalent in
Emphasizes the increasing commonness within a specific area or group.
spread throughout
Focuses on the spatial distribution of something.
became established within
Suggests a more formal or permanent adoption.
extended throughout
Emphasizes physical reach or scope.
gained traction in
Suggests increasing popularity or acceptance in a specific context.
gained acceptance among
Highlights the adoption or approval by a particular group.
diffused through
Highlights the spreading or dissemination of something, often gradually.
permeated throughout
Suggests a deep and pervasive spread.
emerged throughout
Focuses on the appearance or rise of something in various locations.
turned into
Focuses on a transformation that occurs over a period of time.
FAQs
Is "became across" grammatically correct?
No, "became across" is generally considered grammatically incorrect. It's better to use phrases like "spread across", "became popular in", or "extended throughout".
What prepositions usually follow "became"?
Common prepositions following "became" include "in", "for", "of", "with", and "like", depending on the intended meaning. For instance, "became popular in", "became known for", or "became synonymous with".
What can I say instead of "became across"?
Depending on the context, you can use alternatives like "spread throughout", "became prevalent in", or "extended throughout".
How can I avoid using "became across" in my writing?
Carefully consider the intended meaning and choose a more precise and grammatically correct phrase. For example, instead of "the trend became across the country", use "the trend "spread across the country"" or "the trend "became popular across the country"".
Editing plus AI, all in one place.
Stop switching between tools. Your AI writing partner for everything—polishing proposals, crafting emails, finding the right tone.
Table of contents
Usage summary
Human-verified examples
Expert writing tips
Linguistic context
Ludwig's wrap-up
Alternative expressions
FAQs
Source & Trust
87%
Authority and reliability
2.5/5
Expert rating
Real-world application tested