became bereaved

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "became bereaved" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to describe someone who has experienced the loss of a loved one, typically in a formal or literary context. Example: "After the tragic accident, she became bereaved and struggled to cope with her loss."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

3 human-written examples

When I became bereaved I instantly found myself somewhat alienated.

Vice

Those who became bereaved during the remainder of the study were asked to continue.

BMC Palliative Care

Those who became bereaved during the intervention (days 7 and 14) were dropped from the study.

BMC Palliative Care

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

53 human-written examples

We also considered which measures could be used given that subjects would become bereaved and minimal burden of data collection to all subjects was a chief consideration.

BMC Palliative Care

Approximately 50% of study subjects will become bereaved one month after study enrolment; rather than dropping bereaved caregivers from the study, the team believes these subjects will add to the understanding of hope, quality of life and health care utilization among caregivers.

BMC Palliative Care

I knew how sad they felt because many years ago I too became a bereaved parent.

Huffington Post

It became customary for bereaved relatives – if they wished – to join the crowds in Bassett after receiving the bodies of their loved ones in a chapel at Lyneham.

The Guardian

The flat affect of the bereaved becomes too much of a monotone by the time the last (and best) piece rolls around.

The New York Times - Books

In the non-bereaved, family functioning became significantly better over the same period t (1090) = 2.13, p < 0.05.

European Child and Adolescent Psychiatry

White became a surrogate brother to the bereaved James, and was eventually the brains of the Hanson takeover machine.

The Guardian

[son, aged 47] For this bereaved spouse, her own disabilities became more apparent after the death of her husband, affecting her ability to socialise easily with other people.

BMC Palliative Care

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "became bereaved" to describe the specific moment or period when someone transitions into a state of bereavement following a loss. This phrasing can add a formal or literary tone to your writing.

Common error

Avoid using "became bereaved" in casual conversation or informal writing. Simpler alternatives like "lost a loved one" or "suffered a loss" are more appropriate for everyday contexts.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "became bereaved" functions as a verb phrase indicating the action of entering a state of bereavement. As seen in the examples from Ludwig, it often connects a subject to the experience of loss, emphasizing the transition.

Expression frequency: Uncommon

Frequent in

News & Media

60%

Science

30%

Formal & Business

10%

Less common in

Encyclopedias

0%

Wiki

0%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "became bereaved" is a grammatically correct and usable expression that describes the transition into a state of bereavement after experiencing a loss. According to Ludwig, it is considered somewhat formal and literary and appears most frequently in news and scientific contexts. Alternatives such as "experienced bereavement" or "suffered a loss" may be more appropriate in informal settings. Despite its correctness, it is important to consider the audience and context when choosing to use this phrase.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

experienced bereavement

Replaces "became" with "experienced", focusing on the state of bereavement as something undergone.

underwent bereavement

Similar to 'experienced bereavement' but with a slightly more formal tone.

found themselves bereaved

Highlights the sudden or unexpected nature of becoming bereaved.

suffered a loss

Uses more general terms to describe the experience of losing someone.

was left grieving

Emphasizes the ongoing process of grief following a loss.

knew the pain of loss

Focuses on the emotional experience of loss.

entered a state of mourning

Highlights the transition into a formal period of mourning.

turned into a bereaved person

Highlights the transformation the person is undergoing.

was made a bereaved parent

Specifically highlights the relationship to the deceased.

grieved the death of

Focuses on the death event and the resulting grief

FAQs

What does "became bereaved" mean?

The phrase "became bereaved" means that someone has experienced the death of a close person and entered a state of grief or mourning. It is a formal way to describe the experience of loss.

What are some synonyms for "became bereaved"?

Alternatives to "became bereaved" include "experienced bereavement", "suffered a loss", or "was left grieving". The best choice depends on the specific context and desired level of formality.

How is "became bereaved" different from "grieving"?

"Became bereaved" describes the transition into a state of loss, while "grieving" describes the ongoing process of dealing with that loss. Someone who "became bereaved" will likely then be "grieving".

Is it appropriate to use "became bereaved" in all situations?

While grammatically correct, "became bereaved" is quite formal. In more casual settings, it may be better to use simpler phrases like "lost a loved one" or "suffered a loss".