became close

USAGE SUMMARY

"became close" is correct and usable in written English.
You can use it when you want to express that two or more people were distant but now they are close. For example: "The two old friends hadn't seen each other in years, but when they reconnected, they became close again."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Academia

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

We became close.

The New Yorker

They became close friends.

The New York Times

Somehow, they became close friends.

The New York Times

Kelly and Bradley became close.

The New Yorker

Instead, they became close.

The New York Times

The team became close.

The New York Times

The two later became close.

University of Pennsylvania

They became close friends for a while.

The New York Times

"What if the two became close?

The New York Times

The three ultimately became close friends.

The New York Times

Many regulars and I became close friends.

The New York Times - Magazine

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "became close" to describe the evolution of a relationship from distant to intimate, emphasizing a gradual or significant change in closeness. For example, "After working on the project together, they became close." Use it when you want to suggest a growing connection rather than an immediate bond.

Common error

Don't use "became close" to describe an immediate connection. It's better suited for relationships that develop over time. Instead, use phrases like "immediately connected" or "hit it off" to describe an instant connection.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "became close" functions as a verb phrase indicating a change in the relationship between two or more entities, from a state of distance or neutrality to one of intimacy or strong connection. Ludwig confirms the phrase's correct usage.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

60%

Academia

13%

Wiki

8%

Less common in

Encyclopedias

3%

Formal & Business

0%

Science

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "became close" is a common and grammatically sound way to describe the evolution of a relationship towards greater intimacy. Ludwig AI confirms this. Its neutral tone makes it suitable for various contexts, from news reporting to academic discourse. While versatile, remember that "became close" suggests a gradual process, distinguishing it from phrases like "hit it off" which imply an immediate connection. The most frequent contexts where you may find "became close" are: News & Media, Academia, and Wiki.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

formed a close relationship

Emphasizes the creation of a close relationship, focusing on the act of forming the connection.

grew closer together

Focuses on the process of becoming close over time, suggesting a gradual development of intimacy.

developed a strong bond

Replaces "became close" with a more descriptive noun phrase to highlight the type of relationship formed.

bonded deeply

Emphasizes the strength and intensity of the connection formed.

forged a connection

Highlights the act of creating a bond or link between individuals, often implying a sense of effort or purpose.

cultivated a friendship

Implies that a friendship was deliberately fostered and nurtured over time.

established intimacy

Focuses on creating an intimate relationship.

became deeply attached

Indicates a strong emotional connection and reliance on each other.

hit it off

An idiomatic expression indicating an immediate and positive connection.

found common ground

Highlights the discovery of shared interests or values as the basis for becoming close.

FAQs

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

You can use "became close" to describe how people develop a close relationship over time. For example, "They "became close" after working together for many years".

What are some alternatives to using "became close"?

Alternatives include "developed a strong bond", "formed a close relationship", or "grew closer together", depending on the nuance you want to convey.

Is it better to use "became close" or "got close"?

"Became close" and "got close" are similar, but "became close" is generally considered more formal. The better choice depends on the context. In casual conversation, "got close" is fine. In formal writing, "became close" might be preferable.

What's the difference between "became close" and "were close"?

"Became close" describes the process of developing a close relationship. "Were close" describes a state of being in a close relationship. For example, "They "became close" during college, and they "were close" for many years afterward".