became bored

USAGE SUMMARY

"became bored" is a correct and usable phrase in written English.
It can be used to describe a change in someone's emotional state, specifically going from not being bored to becoming bored. Example: "As the lecture continued, Sarah's mind began to wander and she eventually became bored."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Formal & Business

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

44 human-written examples

Westermann never became bored, or, for that matter, boring.

The New York Times - Arts

Our generation became bored in museums we found that boring.

Vice

But he recently became bored.

The New York Times - Food

He became bored and sort of laconic".

The New York Times

Tellingly, even the podium became bored with this lockout.

The New York Times

But he quickly became bored with the club's political dogmatism.

The Guardian - Books

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

16 human-written examples

Long enough to become bored with them.

The New Yorker

Did Smith become bored with football?

The New York Times - Sports

But a few years ago, he began to become bored.

The New York Times

Employers were afraid that I would become bored.

The New York Times

My students can easily become bored or distracted when I discuss the chemistry behind metal oxidation.

The New York Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Vary your vocabulary by using synonyms like "lost interest" or "grew weary" to avoid repetition and make your writing more engaging.

Common error

Avoid using "became bored" when you mean a general lack of interest from the start. "Became bored" implies a change, while simply being uninterested suggests a pre-existing state. Choose your words carefully to accurately reflect the situation.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "became bored" functions as a predicate, describing a state of being that someone or something transitioned into. As Ludwig AI confirms, it's grammatically sound. Examples from Ludwig show it used across various contexts to indicate a shift from interest to disinterest.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

56%

Science

18%

Formal & Business

8%

Less common in

Encyclopedias

2%

Wiki

4%

Academia

2%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "became bored" is a versatile and grammatically correct way to express a transition into a state of disinterest or weariness. As verified by Ludwig AI, it's commonly used across diverse contexts, ranging from news articles to scientific publications. When using this phrase, ensure it accurately reflects a change in feeling, rather than a pre-existing lack of interest. Consider varying your vocabulary with synonyms like "lost interest" or "grew weary" to maintain writing engagement. This phrase appears most frequently in News & Media sources, affirming its widespread use in contemporary writing.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

lost interest

Focuses on the loss of interest rather than the state of being bored.

grew weary

Implies a gradual increase in tiredness and lack of enthusiasm.

tired of

Directly states a lack of enthusiasm or patience for something.

lost enthusiasm

Highlights the decrease in enthusiasm, suggesting a previous state of excitement.

grew tired

Suggests a gradual increase in fatigue and disinterest.

found it tedious

Emphasizes the monotonous nature of something that leads to boredom.

became uninterested

Directly expresses a shift to a state of lacking interest.

got fed up

Implies frustration and impatience leading to disinterest.

began to loathe

Signifies a strong feeling of dislike developing from boredom.

ceased to enjoy

Highlights the end of enjoyment, implying a previous state of pleasure.

FAQs

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

Use "became bored" to describe the process of someone losing interest in something, as in "After a few weeks, the children "became bored" with the new game".

What are some alternatives to "became bored"?

You can use alternatives like "lost interest", "grew weary", or "tired of" depending on the context.

Is it correct to say "got bored" instead of "became bored"?

Both "became bored" and "got bored" are grammatically correct, but "became bored" is generally considered more formal and precise, while "got bored" is more casual.

What's the difference between "became bored with" and "became bored of"?

"Became bored with" is the more standard and widely accepted phrase. While "became bored of" is sometimes used, it is less common and can sound awkward to some native English speakers.