became capable of

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "became capable of" is correct and usable in written English.
You can use it to indicate that someone or something has developed the ability to do something over time. Example: "After months of training, she became capable of running a marathon."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Encyclopedias

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

35 human-written examples

Their remains hold clues about when humanity's ancestors became capable of talking.

The Economist

Thus, the monkey became capable of moving a robot arm with its thoughts.

Encyclopedia Britannica

By defining their victims as subhuman, interrogators became capable of shutting down empathy, and torture became routinized.

The New York Times - Books

In doing so, Taylor became capable of telling many tales at once, and in many different piano-based languages.

The New Yorker

I'm wondering about that: How is it that a people who invented papermaking, gunpowder, fireworks and the magnetic compass suddenly only became capable of assembling iPods?

The New York Times

As computers improved and became capable of some tasks familiar to humans, like playing chess, the term used was "artificial intelligence".

The New York Times - Science

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

25 human-written examples

We have to become capable of it.

The Guardian - Tech

That's what Eastwood had become capable of.

The New Yorker

Over time I've become capable of engaging and talking about my work.

The Guardian - Lifestyle

Bradley, when on his game, has become capable of dictating the game on both sides of the ball.

The Guardian - Sport

The thing is: What does one do when men become capable of cutting the throat of a small child?

The New Yorker

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "became capable of" to clearly indicate the point at which an ability or skill was acquired, particularly when emphasizing a change or progression over time.

Common error

Avoid using "became capable of" when a simpler phrase like "could" or "was able to" would suffice. Overusing the phrase can make your writing sound unnecessarily formal or verbose.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "became capable of" functions as a verbal phrase indicating the achievement of a new skill or ability. It highlights a transformation or progression, suggesting that the subject was not previously able to perform the action.

Expression frequency: Common

Frequent in

News & Media

37%

Encyclopedias

29%

Science

24%

Less common in

Formal & Business

0%

Wiki

6%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "became capable of" is a versatile expression used to denote the attainment of a new ability or skill. Ludwig AI confirms its grammatical correctness and identifies its frequent use in various contexts, particularly in news, encyclopedias, and scientific writing. While alternatives like "developed the ability to" or "acquired the skill to" exist, "became capable of" emphasizes the transformation and progression leading to the new capability. Remember to use it judiciously to avoid over-formality and ensure clarity in your writing.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

developed the ability to

Focuses on the development process, implying a gradual improvement.

acquired the skill to

Emphasizes the attainment of a specific skill through learning or experience.

grew able to

Suggests a natural or gradual increase in ability.

managed to

Highlights the successful completion of a task, suggesting effort and overcoming challenges.

learned how to

Focuses on the process of gaining knowledge or skill through instruction or study.

was enabled to

Implies that external factors or circumstances made the ability possible.

became equipped to

Suggests the provision of necessary resources or tools for performing a task.

evolved to be able to

Implies a gradual change over time, often in a biological or technical context.

gained proficiency in

Emphasizes expertise and competence in a particular area.

turned into being able to

Highlights a transformation or change in state, leading to a new capability.

FAQs

How can I use "became capable of" in a sentence?

Use "became capable of" to show the development of a new skill or ability over time. For example: "After extensive training, she "became capable of" performing complex surgical procedures".

What are some alternatives to "became capable of"?

Depending on the context, you can use alternatives such as "developed the ability to", "acquired the skill to", or "learned how to".

Is it correct to say "become capable of"?

Yes, "become capable of" is grammatically correct, but ""became capable of"" indicates a past event or state. Use "become" for general statements or future possibilities.

What is the difference between "became capable of" and "was able to"?

"Became capable of" suggests a process of development leading to the ability, while "was able to" simply indicates the ability to do something at a specific time. For example, "He was able to lift the box" versus "He "became capable of" lifting heavy objects after months of training".