became cut off

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "became cut off" is not correct in standard written English.
It is not a commonly used expression and may confuse readers. Example: "During the storm, the power supply became cut off, leaving us in darkness."

⚠ May contain grammatical issues

News & Media

Wiki

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

13 human-written examples

In a sense, we lost father and mother, because we became cut off from close contact with our mother.

The New York Times

But at the same time both stairwells became cut off by fire and we headed towards the exit.

The Guardian - Sport

I think that, like her husband, she became cut off, she forgot what she saw in her field work among the people of Egypt".

The New Yorker

It emerged from the slave experience of Africans in the Americas as they became cut off from the teachers of orthodoxy in Africa and the communities that enforced the orthodoxy.

The New York Times

A key fact from this book: the "ratio of plastic to real flamingos in the United States is 700 to 1". "The Big Oyster," by Mark Kurlansky, is a short, brilliant book about the decline of oysters in New York City's waterways and, more broadly, about how the city increasingly fouled up, and became cut off from, the natural world surrounding it.

The New York Times

In the second half of the 20th century, the habitat became cut off from mountains to the north.

Science Magazine

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

47 human-written examples

Eventually, small groups would become cut off and genetically isolated, making their survival untenable.

The Guardian

Northern Ireland has not suddenly become cut off from the rest of the United Kingdom.

The Guardian - Opinion

The Met Office is warning some communities could become cut off and power cuts are a strong possibility.

The Times

Social exclusion — the realization you have become cut off from either your circle of acquaintances, or the wider society — can be a source of intense discomfort.

University of California, Berkeley

"They become more socially isolated, withdraw more and more into their own world and become cut off and lonely," she says.

Independent

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Instead of using "became cut off", opt for more grammatically sound alternatives like "became isolated" or "was cut off" to improve clarity and precision in your writing.

Common error

Avoid using "became cut off" in situations where active voice would be more direct and engaging. For instance, instead of "The town became cut off by the flood", consider "The flood cut off the town".

Linguistic Context

The phrase "became cut off" functions as a passive construction, indicating a state of separation or isolation. However, Ludwig AI indicates it's grammatically incorrect and should be avoided in favor of constructions like "was cut off" or "became isolated".

Expression frequency: Common

Frequent in

News & Media

50%

Wiki

29%

Science

13%

Less common in

Encyclopedias

4%

Academia

2%

Formal & Business

2%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

While the phrase "became cut off" appears frequently in various sources, Ludwig AI identifies it as grammatically incorrect. It aims to describe a state of being separated or isolated, often in contexts like news reports or general discussions. However, more precise and grammatically accepted alternatives, such as "was cut off" or "became isolated", should be preferred. Using grammatically sound phrases enhances clarity and credibility in writing. Despite its common appearance, particularly in news and media, it's crucial to opt for better alternatives for formal or academic writing.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

became isolated

Direct synonym, expressing the same concept.

was isolated

Emphasizes the state of being separated from others, physically or metaphorically.

was disconnected

Focuses on the severing of a connection or relationship.

was separated

Highlights the act of being divided or kept apart.

got isolated

Implies a process leading to a state of isolation.

became detached

Suggests a separation from something to which one was previously connected or involved.

became unreachable

Highlights the inability to make contact or access someone or something.

became inaccessible

Emphasizes the lack of physical or metaphorical access.

lost contact

Indicates a cessation of communication or interaction.

became sequestered

Highlights a more formal or enforced separation.

FAQs

What's a better way to say "became cut off"?

Alternatives include "became isolated", "was cut off", or "became detached", depending on the specific context you're trying to convey.

Is it grammatically correct to use "became cut off"?

While frequently used, "became cut off" is considered grammatically incorrect. It's better to use "was cut off" or "became isolated" for correct usage.

How do I use "became cut off" in a sentence?

While it's best to avoid this phrasing, you might encounter it in informal contexts. However, aiming for clarity and grammatical correctness by using alternatives like "was cut off" is recommended.

What's the difference between "became cut off" and "was cut off"?

"Became cut off" isn't standard English. The correct passive form is "was cut off". Alternatively, use "became isolated" to convey a similar meaning with better grammatical accuracy.